A knife-wielding moped rider who repeatedly stabbed a Medway soldier in uniform has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
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Anthony Esan launched a frenzied and unprovoked attack on Mark Teeton as the lieutenant colonel was walking home from Brompton Barracks on Tuesday 23 July 2024.
Esan, 25, has now been sentenced to life imprisonment with a hospital direction. He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 13 February 2026 after having previously pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Lt Col Teeton.
Kent Police was called to Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham, at around 5.55pm on the day of the incident to multiple reports that a soldier in uniform had been repeatedly stabbed by an offender who had left the scene on a moped.
Witnesses provided the registration number of the vehicle and officers were quickly able to link it to Esan, who was arrested by armed patrols outside his home address in Rochester. He was stood next to the moped, which was found to contain three kitchen knives and two empty cardboard sleeves. The sleeves matched two other knives from the same set that were left at the scene of the crime. Lt Col Teeton suffered multiple injuries in the attack and was airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery that ultimately saved his life.
Detectives tracked Esan’s movements in the days leading up to the incident and secured CCTV footage of him purchasing the set of knives from a store and placing it in the back of his moped. On the day of the attack he was captured riding the vehicle in the area around Brompton Barracks for around 90 minutes without any obvious destination. However, when he saw Lt Col Teeton he parked up in Sally Port Gardens to speak with him before repeatedly stabbing him. Esan left behind a fingerprint on one of the blades as well as a trainer that fell from his foot during the attack.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Lee Neiles said:
‘Anthony Esan has provided no explanation or motive for his actions, but the evidence shows he was intent on killing a uniformed soldier. What is certain is that he is a very dangerous criminal who needs to be kept away from innocent members of the public. Mark underwent a terrible ordeal but has displayed tremendous dignity throughout the investigation and court case. I would like to pay tribute to him for his bravery throughout, as well as that of his wife Eileen who rushed out of their house to push Esan away from a uniformed soldier under attack before she even realised it was her husband.
‘This was a harrowing incident for all concerned and my thanks go to everyone who assisted with our enquiries, and to the emergency responders who were very quick to reach Mark and helped to save his life.’I hope the outcome of the investigation will reassure everyone connected to the case that Esan will now be in custody for many years to come and will be unable to cause any further harm.’