Man who tried to kill uniformed army officer in knife attack sentenced

Key Concepts

• Attempted Murder: The crime committed by Anthony Essan against Lieutenant Colonel Mark Titon.
• Psychosis/Schizophrenia: The mental illness diagnosed in Anthony Essan, contributing to the attack.
• Targeted Attack: The judge’s determination that the attack was specifically aimed at a soldier.
• Broadmore Hospital: The high-security psychiatric hospital where Essan will serve his sentence.
• Minimum Term: The minimum period Essan must serve before being considered for release (7 years and 162 days).

Sentencing of Anthony Essan for Attempted Murder

Anthony Essan has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 7 years and 162 days for the attempted murder of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Titon, a uniformed army officer. The sentencing took place following a knife attack that occurred near Brmpton barracks in Chattam, Kent, in July 2024. Crucially, Essan will serve his sentence at Broadmore Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility, due to his diagnosed mental illness.

Details of the Attack and Victim Impact

On July 23rd, 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Titon was leaving Brmpton barracks when he was approached by Anthony Essan, who had dismounted from his moped. Essan initially requested to use Titon’s mobile phone, citing a broken-down moped, a request that raised suspicion with the officer due to concerns about potential theft. Essen then launched a brutal attack, repeatedly stabbing Lieutenant Colonel Titon in the face and neck, inflicting severe and life-threatening injuries.

Judge Justice Pickikin described Titon’s survival as “a miracle.” The attack was witnessed by Titon’s wife, who described the scene as Essan attempting to “carve Mark’s face” with two knives. Following the attack, Essan fled on his moped and was apprehended by police approximately 25 minutes later near his residence. Lieutenant Colonel Titon was transported via air ambulance to hospital. He expressed gratitude to the emergency services and his family for their support.

Legal Proceedings and Defendant’s Mental State

The case experienced several delays due to ongoing assessments of Essan’s fitness to plead. Ultimately, Essan admitted to the charge of attempted murder via video link from Broadmore Hospital. Psychiatric evaluations concluded that the attack was partially motivated by psychosis stemming from schizophrenia.

Evidence presented included bodycam footage where Essan made references to “the devil and karma.” Prior to the attack, Essan had unsuccessfully attempted to join the army on three separate occasions. Furthermore, digital forensics revealed that in the days leading up to the incident, Essan conducted searches on TikTok for videos depicting knives and researched Lee Rigby, a soldier murdered in 2013.

Judge’s Assessment and Rationale for Sentencing

The judge determined that the attack was a “targeted and deliberate” act, stating that Essan was actively seeking a soldier with the intention of causing their death. While acknowledging the role of psychosis in the attack, the judge also recognized a pre-existing “grudge against the army.”

As stated by the judge, it is “very unlikely” that Essan will ever be released into the community due to the significant risk he poses to public safety. This assessment factored in both his mental illness and the deliberate nature of the attack.

Data and Statistics

• Minimum Sentence: 7 years and 162 days.
• Date of Attack: July 23rd, 2024.
• Number of Army Recruitment Attempts: 3 (unsuccessful).
• Time to Arrest: Approximately 25 minutes after the attack.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Anthony Essan highlights a complex case involving a violent attack, severe injuries, and significant mental health concerns. The judge’s decision to impose a life sentence with a substantial minimum term, served in a high-security psychiatric hospital, reflects the gravity of the crime and the ongoing risk Essan poses to the public. The case underscores the intersection of mental illness, targeted violence, and the legal system’s response to such incidents.