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3 months ago
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A man has been charged with attempted murder after a British Army officer was stabbed 200 yards from an army barracks in Kent on Tuesday.
Police were called to Sally Port Gardens in Gillingham at 5.55pm on July 23 following reports of a serious assault.
The victim, understood to be a lieutenant colonel in his 40s, suffered injuries consistent with stab wounds and was airlifted to hospital, where his condition is described as serious but stable.
Anthony Esan, 24, was arrested near his home address in Mooring Road, Rochester, at approximately 6.30pm the same day.
He has now been charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, Kent Police said this morning.
Anthony Esan, 24, has been charged with attempted murder after a soldier was attacked in Gillingham on Tuesday
Police on the scene of an alleged attack on a British Army officer in Gillingham
Police officers behind the cordon in Gillingham, Kent on Wednesday morning
An aerial view of Sally Port Gardens in Gillingham where the attack is said to have occurred
Forensic officers have been at an address in nearby Rochester, where a man was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted murder
Sally Port in Gillingham is a quiet residential street that is believed to be home to several military families
Brompton Barracks (above) in Gillingham is home to the Royal School of Military Engineering
A police officer and a detective on Sally Port in Gillingham, close to the scene of the alleged attack
Police officers stand beside a cordoned off area of fencing at the scene of an alleged stabbing in Gillingham today
Esan is due to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court today.
The alleged attack took place 200 yards from Brompton Barracks, home of the Royal School of Military Engineering.
Witnesses said the victim had been dressed in a 'cream camouflage' military uniform at the time he was attacked.
Brompton was put into lockdown for a short period on Tuesday evening - with soldiers ordered to remain indoors.
An air ambulance was seen landing in Great Lines Heritage Park on Tuesday evening adjacent to the scene.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'shocked and appalled' by the incident, wishing the soldier a speedy recovery.
He later told PMQs on Wednesday: 'Our thoughts are with him, his family and our armed forces who serve to keep us safe. We wish him a swift recovery.'
Leader of the opposition Rishi Sunak added: 'Our thoughts are with him and his family, as we wish him a speedy recovery.'
The head of the British Army, Chief of General Staff General Sir Roly Walker, said he was 'deeply saddened' by the alleged attack.
Sir Roly confirmed the man was an officer in the Army, adding: 'My thoughts and best wishes are with him and his family. They have the full support of the chain of command as they recover from this horrendous incident.'
An Army spokesperson said following the incident: 'We will continue to work closely with Kent Police to understand what happened and support the investigation.'
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