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Anger as lawyer says police officer stabbed with machete should be punished for using taser

PC Stuart Outten at New Scotland Yard in London. Muhammad Rodwan, 56, has been found guilty at the Old Bailey of wounding with intent but not guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and attempted murder for his attack on Pc Outten in August 2019.
PC Stuart Outten used a taser to defend himself (Picture: Met Police/PA)

A police officer who used a taser to defend himself when being attacked with a machete should be punished for using his weapon, a lawyer has suggested.

Sophie Khan has been slammed after saying she was surprised the Met Police had not started disciplinary proceedings against PC Stuart Outten, 28, after he used “excessive” force against 56-year-old Muhammad Rodwan.

Rodwan hacked at the officer’s head in a “rage” with a freshly-sharpened 2ft-long blade after his van was stopped for having no insurance in Leyton, east London, last August.

He was jailed for 16 years on Friday after being convicted of wounding with intent.

He was acquitted of attempted murder and having an offensive weapon after arguing he was acting in self-defence and the machete was used for gardening.

PC Stuart Outten in hospital following the attack (Picture: Met Police/PA)
PC Stuart Outten in hospital following the attack (Picture: Met Police/PA)

Ms Khan, who works in cases involving claims made against police, wrote on Twitter: “As I've said to @MPFed the Old Bailey jury found that Muhammad Rodwan in part acted in self-defence against the excessive use of force by PC Outten.

“I'm surprised that @metpoliceuk haven't started disciplinary action against PC Outten for assault and battery on Muhammad Rodwan.”

Met Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh called her comments “despicable”.

He told Mail Online: "This police officer stopped a man lawfully and politely asked him to get out of the vehicle because he did not have insurance.

"He responded by getting out a machete and brutally attacking him and my colleague very nearly lost his life. If it wasn't for that Taser, he would have died.

"These comments are utterly despicable – she is not only inciting violence, but she is condemning a hero who detained a dangerous offender while he was fighting for his life."

Muhammad Rodwan was jailed for 16 years for a ‘brutal’ attack on a police officer (Picture: Met Police/PA)
Muhammad Rodwan was jailed for 16 years for a ‘brutal’ attack on a police officer (Picture: Met Police/PA)

Mrs Justice Carr also disagreed PC Outten had used excessive force.

She told Rodwan at the Old Bailey on Friday: “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.

“I reject the unattractive submission that he was using excessive force in circumstances when you had assaulted him and forcibly resisted arrest.”

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Mrs Justice Carr added PC Outten showed “considerable presence of mind and fortitude” in tasering his attacker, despite his injuries.

The police officer managed to subdue the suspect despite suffering six deep gashes to the head and one to the arm.

He was off work for five months as a result of the attack.

Following the verdicts on Thursday, “Britain’s hardest police officer” PC Outten said he felt “no hatred” for Rodwan, adding: “He did what he did, he’s now paying the price for it.

Rodwan had previous convictions for two machete attacks and rape.