A 24-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder, accused of stabbing an army officer multiple times near his barracks in Gillingham, Kent.
Police have charged Anthony Esan with attempted murder and also of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The police added that the soldier—who has been named in the press as Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton, of the Royal Engineers—was in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital.
Lt. Col. Teeton was walking alone in full uniform around 100 yards from Brompton Barracks in Gillingham just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday when the attacker stabbed him repeatedly. His wife screamed at the attacker to leave her husband alone and tried to pull him away.
Police arrested Esan about half an hour later.
Acting Chief Superintendent Richard Woolley said the motive for the attack remains “unknown,” although police are “exploring the possibility that it may be mental health-related.”
“The investigation has been supported throughout by Counter Terrorism Policing South East as we work to establish the full circumstances. Kent Police officers will continue to be on patrol in the area to offer reassurance to members of the public and are more than happy to speak with anyone who is upset or concerned about what has happened.
“It remains the case that we do not currently believe anyone else was involved and there is no further information at this time to suggest any wider threats to the local community, including members of the armed forces.”
