The case of a man accused of attempted murder following the stabbing of an army officer has been adjourned. During a plea and trial preparation hearing at Maidstone Crown Court today (August 22), Judge Philip St John-Stevens adjourned the arraignment on Anthony Esan’s charges.
Esan’s trial was, however, fixed to start on January 20, 2025 and is expected to last three weeks. It will be heard by a High Court judge.
Esan, of Mooring Road, Rochester, faces charges of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. The 24-year-old was arrested in relation to a stabbing in Sally Port Gardens in Gillingham on July 23.
The attack happened at around 5.55pm and the suspect was arrested around 25 minutes later. The next hearing is set to take place on September 23. Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC and defence counsel Tom Stern were both in attendance today.
Following the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton was taken to hospital in a “serious but stable condition”. Now four weeks since the incident, the victim has been discharged from hospital, the court heard.
At the time, Head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker condemned the stabbing as “horrific and unprovoked”, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “shocked and appalled”.
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