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A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Anthony Esan, has been remanded in custody following charges of attempted murder related to a violent incident involving a uniformed army officer.
Esan appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, facing allegations stemming from the stabbing of Lt Col Mark Teeton near a barracks in Kent.
The court ordered Esan to be remanded in custody for his welfare and due to the seriousness of the alleged offences.
Lt Col Teeton, who is in his 40s, was stabbed just before 6 p.m. BST on Tuesday at Sally Port Gardens, near Brompton Barracks. He is currently in a serious but stable condition in the hospital.
Police said Esan, who also faces charges of possessing an offensive weapon, was arrested half an hour after the incident near his residence on Mooring Road in Rochester.
In court, when asked to confirm his date of birth and address, Esan replied, “Why do you need that information?”
Prosecutor Rajni Prashar informed the court that a man was observed “charging up behind” Lt Col Teeton, then dragging him to the ground and stabbing him “multiple times.”
Esan was apprehended on a moped shortly after the incident, and several knives were discovered during a search of the moped’s storage compartment.
Esan is scheduled to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on August 22. Lt Col Teeton, who supervises an engineering course for the Royal Engineers, was identified by a defence source to the BBC.
The adjacent barracks houses the 1st Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his support, stating, “Our thoughts are with [the soldier], his family, and our armed forces, who are dedicated to keeping us safe. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.”
POLITICS NIGERIA