Kent stabbing newest: British soldier fights for all times after assault

Defence Secretary John Healey said the stabbing of a soldier in Kent on Tuesday night was ‘shocking’.

In a statement posted on X this morning he said his thoughts were with the serviceman and his family.

If you’re just joining us this morning, we will be providing live updates on an attack of a British Army serviceman near Brompton Barracks in Gillingham last night.

Here’s what you need to know:

• A British soldier was stabbed multiple times in broad daylight as he walked home in his uniform at around 6pm on Tuesday
• The victim, who is in his 40s, is in a serious condition in hospital after he received injuries to his face and the rest of his body during the frenzied attack which lasted around 20 seconds.
• Horrified witnesses say the attacker was armed with two kitchen knives when he arrived on the scene in a ski mask after driving a moped.
• Police have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. They have not ruled out terrorism as a motive.
• Ministry of Defence sources say it is too soon to deduce any intentions lying behind the attack. Defence Secretary John Healey said the stabbing was ‘shocking’.

We will bring you updates as and when we can on this developing story.

The attack on a British soldier who was stabbed multiple times near his barracks in broad daylight lasted around 20 seconds, Matthew Lodge, Marc Nicol and Jon Brady report

Horrified witnesses say the attacker was armed with two kitchen knives and stabbed the man repeatedly – the air filled with a ‘blood-curdling scream’. After the assault, the soldier attempted to stagger back to his house despite his injuries.

But the attacker is alleged to have pursued him to carry out a second attack and was only stopped when the soldier’s wife intervened.

Read more here:

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage after a British soldier was stabbed outside an Army base in Kent.

The victim, who is in his 40s, was repeatedly attacked with a knife in broad daylight yesterday as he walked in his uniform around 200 yards from Brompton Barracks in Gillingham.

Witnesses say he was attacked by a man in a ski mask wearing a NASA bomber jacket who arrived on a moped.

Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you the latest developments on the attack plus all the reaction.