A 25-year-old man has admitted trying to kill an Army officer outside his barracks in Kent.
Anthony Esan pleaded guilty today to the attempted murder of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton, who was stabbed ‘repeatedly’ in Sally Port Gardens near Brompton Barracks in Chatham on July 23, 2024.
He appeared at Maidstone Crown Court via video-link from Broadmoor Hospital this morning, wearing a blue and white jumper, and spoke only to admit attempted murder and possession of two bladed weapons.
Lt Col Teeton, who was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the attack, was in court to hear the guilty pleas.
His wife Eileen likely saved his wife after she rushed to his aid – with witnesses describing how she tackled the man who was stabbing her husband.
Eileen’s anguished cries were captured on a neighbour’s Ring doorbell camera as she pulled Lt Col Teeton’s attacker off him and called for help.
The Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Eileen was a star of the Military Wives Choir who appeared on ITV’s Lorraine to talk about her work.
The interview coincided with the launch of comedy film Military Wives starring Sharon Horgan and Kristin Scott Thomas, itself based on the real singing group assembled in 2010 by the wives of soldiers serving in the Middle East.
Anthony Esan outside Medway Magistrates’ Court in Chatham, Kent, on July 25, 2024
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton (pictured) was stabbed near a Kent barracks in July 2024
Police offices at the scene of the attack in Gillingham, Kent, on July 24, 2024
At a previous hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court in 2024, prosecutor Rajni Prashar said: ‘A member of the public called 999 to report a male had been stabbed.
‘It was then reported that the victim was a soldier in uniform.’
She told the court a man was seen ‘running up behind’ the Army officer before he ‘pulled the soldier to the ground’, stabbed him ‘repeatedly’ and drove away on a moped.
Two knives were dropped at the scene and a further three were found stored on the bike, the prosecutor said.
Since the attack, the case has been repeatedly delayed as investigations over Esan’s mental health and fitness to plead have been made.
Esan, of Rochester, will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court from February 9 to 11.
Brompton Barracks is the headquarters of the British Army’s 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.
Lt Col Teeton is a chartered engineer working as a course manager in the Army’s Corps of Royal Engineers, according to a LinkedIn page, which shows he has worked in various roles in the armed forces dating back to 2001.
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton pictured with his wife Eileen, who may have saved his life by running out to pull his attacker away
Mrs Teeton (second from right) is a member of the Brompton military wives choir and joined fellow singers on Lorraine in 2020 ahead of the release of comedy film Military Wives
A friend who did not want to be named said: ‘I didn’t know Mark, I know his wife. She was in the Military Wives choir. Lovely lady, I only found out who it was today.
‘She was always popping into the community centre, doing all her stuff there.
‘As soon as I heard the wife jumped on him to save her husband, I immediately thought of her, I didn’t know it was her, but she’s the one who came to mind.’
She said Mrs Teeton was in a local choir group of military wives. And asked if she was a big part of the community in the area, she said: ‘She is, yes.’
A Gofundme page has raised almost £50,000 to support Lt Col Teeton and his family.
The page was widely shared online, including by comedian Al Murray, a long time supporter of the Armed Forces.
Taking to social media, Mr Murray wrote: ‘Lt Col Mark Teeton RE ran in aid of @CombatStress for the D-Day 80th anniversary.
‘Here’s the link to sponsor him and show support at this horrendous time for him and his family.’