Man admits attempted murder after soldier stabbed near Kent barracks
A 25-year-old man has admitted attempting to murder an officer outside his barracks in Kent.
Anthony Esan pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton, who was stabbed “repeatedly” at Sally Port Gardens near Brompton Barracks in Chatham on July 23, 2024.
He appeared at Maidstone Crown Court via video link from Broadmoor Hospital on Thursday, wearing a blue-and-white jumper, and admitted only attempted murder and possessing a double-bladed weapon.
Lieutenant Colonel Teeton, who was seriously injured and hospitalized after the attack, appeared in court to hear the criminal complaint.
At a previous hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court in 2024, prosecutor Rajni Prashar said: “A member of the public called 999 to report that a man had been stabbed.
“The victim was later reported to be a uniformed soldier.”
He told the court a man was seen “running after” the officer, who then “knocked the soldier to the ground”, stabbed him “repeatedly” and drove away on a motorbike.
The prosecutor said two knives fell at the scene and three knives were hidden on the bike.
Since the attack, the case has been postponed repeatedly as investigations into Esan’s mental health and fitness to plead are carried out.
Esan, of Rochester, will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court between February 9-11.
Brompton Barracks is the headquarters of the British Army’s 1st Royal Military Engineering College Regiment.
Lieutenant Col Teeton is a contracted engineer working as a course manager with the Army’s Corps of Royal Engineers, according to a LinkedIn page that shows he has worked in various roles in the armed forces since 2001.
A GoFundMe page has raised almost £50,000 to support Lieutenant Colonel Teeton and his family.
