A man who carried out a brutal knife assault on a military officer will be held in custody “indefinitely.” The judge, Mr Justice Picken, imposed a life sentence on Anthony Esan, 25, with a minimum term of 7 years and 162 days, but he will be confined at Broadmoor Hospital for an unspecified duration. Mr Justice Picken stated that Esan is unlikely to ever be released back into society.
Esan was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court today after evidence revealed that he viciously attacked Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton with two knives near a Kent barracks. Lt Col Teeton sustained severe injuries including a large neck wound and multiple stab wounds to various parts of his body.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Esan had searched online for violent incidents, such as the killing of soldier Lee Rigby, and purchased knives from a store days before the assault. The judge, Mr Justice Picken, condemned Esan for targeting a soldier with the intent to cause harm.
Throughout the sentencing process, Esan appeared in court surrounded by Broadmoor Hospital staff and a custody guard. Three experts confirmed that he was suffering from schizophrenia during the attack and continues to do so now.
Esan, a resident of Mooring Road, Rochester, admitted to the assault and possession of bladed weapons in January.
Lt Col Teeton, a father of two and chief instructor at the British Army’s Royal School of Military Engineering, survived the brutal assault near Brompton Barracks, Chatham. He expressed gratitude to those who came to his aid and emphasized the bravery displayed by his wife and others who intervened.
Esan, who was born in Nigeria and relocated to the UK in 2009, had attempted to join the British Army multiple times before the attack. The court learned that he had a history of mental health issues and had displayed concerning behavior prior to the incident.
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