A 25-year-old man has confessed to attempting to murder an Army officer near his barracks in Kent.

Today, Anthony Esan admitted to the attempted murder of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton, who endured multiple stab wounds in Sally Port Gardens, close to Brompton Barracks in Chatham, on July 23, 2024.

Esan made his appearance at Maidstone Crown Court through a video link from Broadmoor Hospital. Dressed in a blue and white jumper, he spoke only to confirm his guilt for attempted murder and possessing two bladed weapons.

Lt Col Teeton, who sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized following the attack, was present in court to witness Esan’s guilty pleas.

Teeton’s life was likely saved by his wife, Eileen, who quickly came to his rescue. Witnesses recounted how she confronted Esan outside their home, effectively intervening in the situation.

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. 

Witnesses said the Army officer had been dressed in a ‘cream camouflage’ military uniform at the time he was stabbed. 

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.

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

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton pictured with his wife Eileen, who may have saved his life by running out to pull his attacker away

‘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 was reported to have joined the Army 24 years ago and had been a course manager at the barracks for almost six years at the time of the attack. 

Before being posted to Brompton, Lt Col Teeton spent time in Canada with the army.

Esan was arrested two miles away from the scene of the attack after allegedly driving away on a Honda scooter 

Police officers at the scene of the attack in Gillingham, Kent, on July 24, 2024

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

Prior to this, an online CV stated he had held a number of educational roles within the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence. 

He was awarded a long service and good conduct medal in 2018.

He also ran 44 miles across Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day just last month to raise money for Combat Stress, a charity providing mental health support to armed forces veterans, raising almost £3,000 between donations and Gift Aid.

In July 2024, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Lt Col Teeton’s wife 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.

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 man appearing to wear a similar jacket was arrested by police on Mooring Road in Rochester, two miles away, half an hour after the attack

Behind the police cordon on Sally Port Gardens medical gear could be seen lying on the floor after emergency services rushed to the scene

Forensic officers are pictured at the scene of the attack 

A man wearing Army uniform talks on the phone next to the police cordon in Gillingham on Tuesday evening

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.’

Lt Col Teeton did not want to comment outside court at this stage.