Moped knifeman pleads guilty to trying to kill British army officer

A man who launched a frenzied knife attack on a uniformed British Army officer just yards from his barracks has pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Anthony Esan, 25, of Mooring Road, Rochester, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court via video link from the high-security psychiatric facility, Broadmoor Hospital, on Thursday, 8 January. He admitted the attempted murder of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton and two counts of possessing a bladed article.

The plea marks a significant development in a case that has been plagued by legal delays since the "horrific" attack took place on 23 July 2024. Proceedings had been stalled for over a year due to complex issues surrounding Esan’s psychiatric health and his capacity to stand trial.

The Attack

The court heard that Lt Col Teeton, 47, was walking with his wife, Eileen, along Sally Port Gardens—near Brompton Barracks in Gillingham—when Esan approached them on a moped. In what has been described as an "extremely serious and grave" incident, Esan repeatedly knifed the father-of-two in the street.

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Lt Col Teeton, an officer with the Royal School of Military Engineering, was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. He was discharged four weeks later and was present in court alongside his wife to witness the guilty plea.

Esan was apprehended by police approximately 30 minutes after the stabbing.

Sentencing Options

Following the pleas, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC noted that the upcoming sentencing would be a "complex" exercise. The court must now weigh Esan’s culpability against his mental health status.

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The sentencing tribunal, which is expected to be presided over by High Court judge Mr Justice Picken, will consider three primary disposal options: