A man who hacked at a police officer with a two foot machete has been cleared of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Muhammad Rodwan struck PC Stuart Outten six times around the head when he was pulled over for driving his van without insurance last year.
PC Outten, 29, was dubbed ‘Britain’s hardest cop’ after he managed to Taser Rodwan, 56, despite suffering horrific injuries. Rodwan, who has previous convictions for rape and other machete attacks, claimed he was acting in self-defence, saying ‘my life is worth more than his life’.
Another video recording shows the officer with deep gashes to his head and arm, and broken fingers shouting to a passerby to pass his radio so he could call for an ambulance.
Just an hour before the incident, Pc Outten had texted his girlfriend, who is also an officer: ‘Right I’m off to cause trouble.
Stay safe my love.’ Later, he sent her the rueful update that it was ‘a bit more trouble’ than he had bargained for.
Despite the horrific nature of the attack, a jury found Rodwan cleared him of trying to kill the officer, instead finding him guilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
PC Outten said he was very lucky to be alive, adding that he was thankful that his head was hard enough to withstand the onslaught.
