🔴 BROMPTON KNIFEMAN JAILED FOR LIFE OVER 'SAVAGE' ARMY OFFICER ATTACK
A man who carried out a targeted and "savage" knife attack on a uniformed British Army officer has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of seven years and 162 days.
Anthony Esan, 25, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for the attempted murder of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton and two counts of possessing a bladed article.
The court heard that Esan ambushed the officer in Sally Port Gardens, Chatham, on 23 July 2024, inflicting multiple life-threatening wounds to his neck, chest, and abdomen.
Mr Justice Picken ruled that while the defendant was suffering from severe psychosis at the time of the offence, the attack was a "targeted and deliberate" attempt to kill a soldier.
The judge noted that Esan had previously researched the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby and had entertained "murderous fantasies" for approximately 18 months prior to the incident.
Lt Col Teeton’s wife, Eileen, was commended for her "remarkable" courage after she pushed the attacker off her husband, despite the immediate threat to her own life.
In a harrowing victim impact statement, Mrs Teeton described watching the defendant "carving" at her husband’s face and neck before realizing the identity of the victim.
Lt Col Teeton, a veteran of tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, told the court it was a "miracle" he survived the assault, which left him with extensive internal and external injuries.
Medical evidence provided by forensic psychiatrists confirmed that Esan was suffering from schizophrenia and remains profoundly unwell, requiring lifelong treatment.
The court heard that Esan had repeatedly tried and failed to join the British Army and had become immersed in violent fantasies linked to films and video games.
Despite his mental health status, the court found his level of culpability remained significant, leading to the imposition of a life sentence alongside a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.
This "hybrid" order means Esan will continue to receive treatment at Broadmoor Hospital but will be transferred to the prison estate should he ever be deemed fit for discharge from medical care.
The prosecution highlighted that Esan had a long-standing fixation with knives, with "Rambo" style weapon packaging recovered from his home in Rochester.
Concerns regarding the defendant's mental health and possession of weapons had been raised by his family as early as January 2023, the court was informed.
Mr Justice Picken stated that due to the ongoing risk of serious harm to the public, it is "unlikely" the defendant will ever be released into the community.
Esan showed no emotion as the sentence was delivered via video link from the high-security psychiatric facility.
