After yesterday's snafu, in which the London attacker was incorrectly named as an Islamic "hate preacher" who however turned out to be in prison at the time of the attack, moments ago UK police said that the man they believe to be responsible for the terrorist attack in Westminster yesterday has been formally identified as Khalid Masood.

Masood, aged 52 (Dec 25, 1964), was born in Kent and detectives believe he was most recently living in the West Midlands. Masood was also known by a number of aliases. Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack.

However, as the Telegraph reports, he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences. His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife. He has not been convicted for any terrorism offences.

More details from the Police statement:

Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack. However, he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, including GBH, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences. His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife. He has not been convicted for any terrorism offences.

Anyone with any information about Masood is requested to call the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321.