Man Researched Lee Rigby Murder Before Army Knife Attack Outside Barracks
Anthony Esan, 25, who researched the infamous murder of soldier Lee Rigby and believed he was in the 'violent' film Kingsman, has been handed a life sentence for attempted murder. The attack targeted Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton in a 'vicious and deliberate' stabbing outside Brompton Barracks in Chatham.
Targeted Attack on Uniformed Officer
Esan, of Mooring Road, Rochester, purchased knives from Argos days before the July 23, 2024 attack and conducted online searches for violent incidents, including the Lee Rigby killing. Forensic psychiatrists concluded that while psychosis was a primary driver, Esan specifically intended to stab a soldier. Experts unanimously agreed he had schizophrenia at the time.
Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court on February 13, 2026, Esan pleaded guilty to attempted murder and possession of bladed weapons. He was flanked by six Broadmoor staff and a custody guard during sentencing.
Life Imprisonment with Hospital Detention
Mr Justice Picken imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of seven years and 162 days, though Esan will be detained in hospital. The judge emphasized the attack was 'targeted and deliberate,' noting Esan's research into Lee Rigby's killing demonstrated intent.
'The psychotic disorder is part of the context for the attack but it is not the entire context,' Justice Picken stated. 'You targeted Mr Teeton after carrying out searches on other knife attacks, most notably Lee Rigby.' The judge added that Esan's grudge against the Army combined with his psychosis, creating a 'significant risk' to the public that makes community release unlikely.
Heroic Intervention and Severe Injuries
The court heard harrowing details from the four-day sentencing. Eileen Teeton rushed to aid a soldier lying outside her home, only to realize it was her husband being attacked. She pushed Esan away, describing feeling 'a wave of terror' as she saw him with a knife. Prosecutors praised her 'remarkable' actions.
Footage showed Esan parking his moped and approaching Lt Col Teeton at 5.53pm, pretending his vehicle had broken down to borrow a phone. Additional footage captured the subsequent attack in the middle of the road, with Esan pursuing the injured officer to continue stabbing.
Lt Col Teeton, a 26-year Army veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, suffered extensive injuries: a large neck wound, multiple stab wounds to his chest, abdomen, groin, arms, and thigh. Medical staff called his survival a 'miracle.' Tearfully, he expressed gratitude to his wife and strangers who intervened, stating he never imagined such an attack 'on the streets of Britain.'
Mental Health History and Delusions
Esan, born in Nigeria, moved to the UK in 2009, living in Southwark before relocating to Kent in 2022. He made unsuccessful Army applications starting in 2020, the same year he was referred to mental health services for hearing voices. In January 2023, his mother reported concerns about knives in his bag.
Professor Nigel Blackwood, forensic psychiatry expert, testified that Esan 'began to entertain murderous fantasies 18 months before he enacted them.' Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC noted an 'interest' in knives, with 'Rambo' knife packaging found in his bedroom.
By mid-2025, Esan believed he was in the 'profoundly violent' film Kingsman and the video game Cyberpunk, thinking his role was to 'deliver and shoot.' Despite treatment at Broadmoor Hospital, Professor Blackwood confirmed Esan remains psychotic and will require lifelong care.
