Life Sentence for Savage Soldier Stabbing

Anthony Esan, 25, has received a life sentence for a brutal knife attack on Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton. Esan will be detained indefinitely at Broadmoor Hospital due to his mental ill health, with a minimum sentence of 7 years and 162 days. The court heard Esan repeatedly stabbed Lt Col Teeton with two knives near Brompton Barracks on July 23, 2024. The victim sustained numerous stab wounds, describing the attack as an attempt to 'cut off my head' like Lee Rigby.

Evidence presented showed Esan had researched attacks, including that of soldier Lee Rigby, and purchased knives beforehand. Experts confirmed Esan suffered from schizophrenia, with psychosis being the main driver of his actions. He pleaded guilty to the attack and possession of bladed weapons in January. Lt Col Teeton expressed gratitude to those who aided him, calling their actions heroic, and noted it was a miracle he survived the near-fatal assault.