Leyton machete attack: Police officer named as PC Stuart Outten as alleged attacker appears in court
Injured man’s family say he ‘loves being a police officer and protecting the public’
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A police officer who was attacked with a machete in London has been named as PC Stuart Outten.
The 28-year-old Metropolitan Police constable remained in hospital in a serious but stable condition on Friday, as a man appeared in court accused of trying to kill him.
Muhammad Rodwan, 56, is charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon over the incident in Leyton, east London.
The defendant, of Villiers Close in Luton, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London on Friday morning, wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit.
District crown prosecutor Varinder Hayre said he was accused of carrying out a “completely unprovoked, repeated and brutal attack with a machete on a police officer who was simply conducting his police officer duties on that day”.
Mr Rodwan spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, that he has no address, and that his nationality is British during a briefing hearing.
Deputy district judge Adrian Turner remanded him in custody ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey on 6 September.
The court heard that police officers had stopped a van suspected of having no insurance shortly after midnight on Thursday.
The driver then allegedly attacked PC Outten with a machete, before being subdued using a Taser and arrested.
The officer’s family said they had been “overwhelmed” by support from the public, his colleagues and wider policing family.
“We are incredibly proud of the bravery Stuart showed during the incident,” a statement said.
“We are thankful that he is stable and recovering in hospital with his loved ones around him.”
PC Outten’s relatives said he joined the Metropolitan Police immediately after leaving school and “loves being a police officer and protecting the public”.
“Although there are risks associated with his job, we would never have expected something like this to happen,” they added.
“We are so grateful to the London Ambulance Service paramedics and hospital staff for their care and compassion.”
Additional reporting by PA