Guilty plea to attempted murder of a solider in the street

A man has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a soldier in Gillingham.

The victim, who was in military uniform at the time of the attack, was stabbed repeatedly by a man in the street near the Brompton Barracks on 23 July 2024. He underwent emergency surgery at a London hospital following the attack.

Anthony Esan was arrested shortly after the attack.

Katie Samways, Specialist Prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Anthony Esan carried out a violent attack on a member of our military who was simply walking along the street.

“Following an extensive police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service worked to build the strongest possible case that left Esan with no alternative but to plead guilty.

“Esan has never given a reason for this attempted murder and after many months of careful investigation into his mental health, today he has finally acknowledged and taken responsibility for his horrendous actions on that fateful day.

“None of us can imagine what the victim and his family have been through over the last 18 months, and we hope that today’s guilty plea brings them some small comfort. Our thoughts remain with them.”