Richard Barraclough KC and Thomas Stern complete defence of man who attempted to murder British Army officer
February 16, 2026
The case of Anthony Esan has now concluded, with Mr Esan receiving a life sentence of imprisonment with a minimum term of 7 years 162 days under a ‘hybrid order’ (section 45A of the Mental Health Act 1983).
Mr Esan pleaded guilty to the offence on 8 July 2026, following a lengthy investigation of his fitness to plead and stand trial. The offence occurred on Sally Port, near Brompton Barracks, on 23 July 2024. The victim, Lt. Col. Teeton, was walking home from work in uniform when he was stopped by Mr Esan who asked to use his mobile phone. Lt. Col. Teeton was then attacked by Mr Esan with knives he had purchased several days before from a retail store in Strood.
The sentence hearing before Mr Justice Picken lasted four days and featured live evidence from three eminent forensic consultant psychiatrists, Professor Nigel Blackwood, Dr Michael Alcock and Mr Esan’s treating clinician from Broadmoor Hospital where he remains detained. Final submissions were primarily focused on the question of whether the level of Mr Esan’s culpability demanded a penal element in the sentence order and issues of risk and public protection under the competing release regimes of section 45A and section 37/41 of the 1983 Act.
Please see BBC news here.
Please see ITV news here.
Please see East London Advertiser here.
Please see attached for full sentencing remarks.
