A 24-year-old Nigerian man named Anthony Esan, from Kent, has been charged with attempted murder following a stabbing incident involving a British soldier earlier this week, according to UK police on Thursday.
Esan allegedly ambushed a senior Army officer, Lt Col Mark Teeton, outside his home near Brompton Barracks in Gillingham at around 5:55 pm on Tuesday.
The court heard that Esan repeatedly attacked Teeton with a set of kitchen knives, including one described as a “machete,” causing near-fatal injuries.
Teeton, a father-of-two, was rushed to the hospital with serious but stable condition.
Esan was apprehended near his Rochester home about 35 minutes after the attack.
The court learned that Esan brought five kitchen knives to the scene, and after pulling Teeton to the ground, he continued to stab him with a large knife.
Defense attorney Robert Weston mentioned that psychiatric evaluations are underway to determine Esan’s fitness to plead.
Judge Leake ordered Esan to remain in custody and scheduled his next court appearance for August 22nd at Maidstone Crown Court.
During his brief appearance at Medway Magistrates’ Court, Esan, dressed in a grey prison-issue t-shirt and tracksuit trousers, was flanked by three police officers.
When asked by District Judge Stephen Leake to confirm his personal details, Esan responded with “why?” and refused to sit down.
Prosecutor Rajni Prashar revealed that a 999 call reported the stabbing, noting that the suspect, whose face was partially covered, attacked the soldier from behind and fled on a moped.
Esan is charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Esan is set to appear in Maidstone Crown Court on August 22nd to face charges related to the stabbing of Lt Col Mark Teeton.
The attack occurred near Brompton Barracks, home to the Royal School of Military Engineering, where Teeton, a veteran and father of two, was targeted.
