Muhammad Rodwan, 56, from Luton, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon

The family of the heroic policeman who survived a savage machete onslaught spoke yesterday of how they are ‘incredibly proud’ of the bravery he showed.

PC Stuart Outten was knifed with a foot-long blade after pulling over a van driver suspected of having no insurance.

The 28-year-old’s family said his injuries could have been fatal after he suffered four deep cuts to his head and neck.

Despite bleeding profusely, the officer managed to incapacitate his attacker with a Taser stun gun and then call for an ambulance on his radio. Mobile phone footage has emerged which shows him bent over in the road while a passer-by tells him he is bleeding, to which PC Outten sighed and replied: ‘Oh, yeah.’

His heroism led many to brand PC Outten as ‘the hardest bobby in Britain’.

He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following the attack in Leyton, east London, shortly after midnight on Thursday morning. Astonishingly, he was discharged from hospital at about 2pm yesterday – just 38 hours after the attack. Wounds on his left cheek, both temples and on the back of his head were stitched up.

He underwent surgery to re-attach tendons in his thumb, which was almost chopped off during the attack.

PC Stuart Outten, 28, was knifed with a machete in Leyton, London, on Thursday. His heroism led many to brand PC Outten as ‘the hardest bobby in Britain’

Muhammad Rodwan appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit. Rodwan showed no emotion as he sat staring straight ahead during the four minute hearing. He spoke to confirm that he has no fixed address and that his nationality is British

In a statement released by Scotland Yard, PC Outten’s family said: ‘We are incredibly proud of the bravery Stuart showed during the incident. His injuries could have been fatal and we are thankful that he is stable. Although there are risks associated with his job, we would never have expected something like this to happen. We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received from the public, Stuart’s colleagues and the wider policing family.’

His parents and brother, who live in Essex, said PC Outten joined the Metropolitan Police when he left school ten years ago. They added: ‘Stuart loves being a police officer and protecting the public.’

Minutes after the attack, PC Outten’s girlfriend, who is a police officer based in Hackney, raced to the scene.

She later wrote on social media: ‘Heartbroken can’t even explain tonight’s events. My world fell apart. Words can’t fill the thoughts I feel. Best wishes everyone, keep safe and remember to always have your colleagues’ six [back].’ PC Outten is now recovering at home and faces follow-up hospital appointments and visits to the police rehabilitation centre.

The dramatic scene where PC Outten was knifed in Leyton, London, and where fellow officers managed to pin down the suspect and arrest him on suspicion of grievous bodily harm

The injured officer has been inundated with support, according to colleagues. Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker visited him in hospital and said the constable tried to shrug off concerns.

He added: ‘That’s the type of character he is – he is an amazing police officer.’

The man accused of attacking PC Outten appeared in court yesterday charged with attempted murder. Muhammad Rodwan, from Luton, is also charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

The 56-year-old appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit. Rodwan showed no emotion as he sat staring straight ahead during the four minute hearing. He spoke to confirm that he has no fixed address and that his nationality is British.

Prosecutor Varinder Hayre said: ‘It was an unexpected, unprovoked, repeated brutal attack with a machete on a police officer who was simply conducting a police officer’s duty.’

Deputy District Judge Adrian Turner remanded Rodwan in custody until his next appearance at the Old Bailey on September 6.