Heroic wife who saved her colonel husband's life after being attacked by masked attacker

The wife of a lieutenant colonel who was stabbed outside an Army barracks in Kent, may have saved her husband's life by pulling his attacker off him and screaming for help from residents and fellow soldiers.

Eileen Teeton, née Duffy, rushed out from the family home close to the scene of the attack in Gillingham, Kent on Tuesday evening as her husband Mark, 47, was knived.

Her anguished cries for help were captured on a Ring doorbell camera belonging to a neighbour. Friends say she is a 'lovely lady' who is part of the Brompton and Invicta Military Wives Choir and even appeared on ITV morning show Lorraine in 2020.

Anthony Esan, 24, appeared in court earlier today charged with the Army officer's attempted murder. He is yet to enter pleas.

Father-of-two Lt Col Teeton is in a 'serious but stable' condition in hospital after the incident, which took place 200 yards from Brompton Barracks, home of the 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment, where he serves as a course manager.

He had reportedly been out on his regular evening walk when he was attacked by a man whom prosecutors said had partially covered his face before stabbing Lt Col Teeton with a 'large knife or machete' before fleeing on a moped.

A woman who knows Mrs Teeton said she was in the Brompton & Invicta Military Wives Choir.

The friend, who did not want to be named, said: 'I didn't know him, I knew his wife. She was in the military wives choir.

'Lovely lady, I only found out who it was today. She was always popping into the community centre, doing all her stuff there.

'As soon as I heard the wife jumped on him to save her husband, I immediately thought of her, I didn't know it was her, but she's the one who came to mind.'

She said Mrs Teeton was in a local choir group of military wives. And asked if she was a big part of the community in the area, she said: 'She is, yes.'

Mrs Teeton was one of a number of military wives choir members to appear on ITV's Lorraine to discuss singing ahead of the release of comedy film Military Wives, starring Sharon Horgan and Kristin Scott Thomas.

The film itself was based on the real life military wives choirs like those Mrs Teeton is a member of.

A Facebook post from the Brompton and Invicta Military Wives Choir on February 24 2020 celebrated her appearance on the show.

The group said: 'Our amazing Eileen - you were fabulous! We are so proud of you!'

Eileen added in the post: 'So delighted to be selected to join fellow alto ladies on Lorraine's sofa this morning.

'So glad that the choir that was started has expanded to the most fabulous organisation that we know today that allows us to move from posting to posting and slip straight in the local choir.'

Lt Col Teeton is reported to have joined the Army 24 years ago and has been a course manager at the barracks for almost six years.

Prior to this, an online CV states he has held a number of educational roles within the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence. He was awarded a long service and good conduct medal in 2018.

He also ran 44 miles across Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day just last month to raise money for Combat Stress, a charity providing mental health support to armed forces veterans, raising almost £3,000 between donations and Gift Aid.

He wrote on a fundraising page ahead of the event: 'In honour of our forefathers as well as current servicemen who have bravely fought to protect our way of life, I will be taking on the D-Day Challenge to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.'

After completing the gruelling challenge, he said in a video: 'It was worthwhile... it's a good amount of money to a fantastic charity.'

Witnesses said Lt Col Teeton had been dressed in a 'cream camouflage' military uniform at the time he was attacked.

Esan, 24, was arrested near his home address in Mooring Road, Rochester, at approximately 6.30pm the same day on suspicion of attempted murder.

He was subsequently charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Following a short hearing at Medway Magistrates' Court this morning, during which he was informed of the charges against him, Esan was remanded in custody.

Wearing a custody-issue grey top, he was was asked in court to confirm his name and date of birth but replied: 'Why?'

He eventually confirmed the details when pressed by district judge Stephen Leake.

Prosecutor Rajni Prashar said: 'A member of the public called 999 to report a male had been stabbed.

'It was then reported that the victim was a soldier in uniform. The male suspect's face was partially covered.'

She told the court a man was seen 'running up behind' the Army officer before he 'pulled the soldier to the ground', stabbed him 'repeatedly' and drove away on a moped.

The prosecutor added that the suspect was armed with a 'large knife or machete'.

She continued: 'He got on to a moped and drove off. Witnesses took down the registration number of the moped and it was traced.

'When police arrived they located the man with the moped. On the back of the moped was a black cardboard box with a set of kitchen knives.'

Ms Prashar told the court that two of the knives had been used while three other knives still had their cardboard protective sleeves attached suggesting they had not been used.

Defending, Robert Weston said his client's fitness to stand trial will be assessed by psychiatrists in the meantime.

He will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on August 22.

Father-of-two Lt Col Teeton suffered 'injuries consistent with stab wounds', police said earlier, and was airlifted to hospital.

Neighbours said his wife desperately flagged down fellow soldiers and neighbours for help as she was heard screaming in the street.

The attack took place 200 yards from Brompton Barracks, home of the 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.

His wife sought the aid of other residents and soldiers from the barracks after the attack.

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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