Police officer hacked in head in brutal machete attack says a ‘Taser saved my life’

A police officer dubbed “Britain’s hardest cop” after he was hacked in the head during a machete attack has said a Taser saved his life.

PC Stuart Outten was attacked by convicted rapist Muhammad Rodwan, 56, after stopping his white van in Leyton, east London, last August.

Rodwan, who had previous convictions for two machete attacks and rape, hacked at the officer’s head with a freshly sharpened 2ft-long blade after his van was stopped for having no insurance.

Bleeding heavily from six deep gashes to the head and one to the arm, PC Outten managed to Taser Rodwan twice, bringing him to the ground just as he launched himself at the officer with the machete raised to strike again.

On Friday, handyman Rodwan was jailed for 16 years at the Old Bailey after being found guilty of wounding with intent – but not guilty of the more serious charge of attempted murder.

On Monday, the 29-year-old police officer told LBC radio he would not have survived without his Taser.

He told presenter Nick Ferrari: "There was a point where I was on all fours and blood was coming out of my head like a tap. I thought to myself, 'I'm in a bit of trouble here.'

"Without that Taser, I'd be dead. I wouldn't be here talking to you right now."

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PC Outten said he plans to be back at work this week after recovering from his injuries and receiving counselling from the Metropolitan Police.

Sentencing Rodwan last week, Mrs Justice Carr said: “This was a brutal and shocking attack with a machete on a police officer carrying out his duties during what should have been a routine stop of a van to investigate whether you were properly insured.

"I'm sure the violence started with you when PC Outten blocked your attempt to close your door.”

She said PC Outten showed "considerable presence of mind and fortitude" in Tasering his attacker, despite his injuries.

Last week PC Outten said: "On that night I was just doing my job, doing what I'm trained to do, but more importantly making sure I didn't die, because that was a distinct possibility had the attack carried on.

"Once he's started hitting me in the head with the machete, then I realised it was escalating very quickly and I was having to now fight for my life.

"Luckily, I have the size and build that I can take a couple of machete blows to the head – apparently – and I can act afterwards."