The man who launched a ferocious attack on a hero police officer is a convicted rapist who had previously been found guilty of an "unprovoked" machete attack on two people.
Muhammad Rodwan, 56, who attacked Pc Stuart Outten with a machete, was found guilty of wounding with intent on Thursday.
However, a jury at the Old Bailey found him not guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and attempted murder.
After his conviction on Friday, it can now be revealed Rodwan had a previous conviction from 1997 for wounding with intent after an unprovoked attack on two people with a machete.
Jurors were also told that he was convicted of rape in 1982 and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Rodwan will be sentenced for the attack on Pc Outten in Leyton, east London, on Friday morning.
The 29-year-old suffered serious injuries from a 2ft long blade, including skull fractures, deep head wounds and broken fingers, after stopping Rodwan's white van for having no insurance on August 7 last year.
As Rodwan came towards him, the Met Police officer Tasered him twice, the Old Bailey heard.
Bleeding heavily, Pc Outten shouted at a passerby to pass his radio so he could call for an ambulance.
Rodwan claimed he acted in self defence, telling police: “My life is worth more than his life."
But graphic police body worn video showed him punching the officer before grabbing a sharpened machete as Pc Outten tried to arrest him.
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