A Nigerian has been charged after an army officer was stabbed near a barracks in Gillingham in Kent.

Anthony Esan, 24, was arrested after the attack on Lieutenant Colonel Mark Teeton at around 5.55pm on Tuesday which took place in Sally Port Gardens, near Brompton Barracks, headquarters of the 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment.

He has been charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Esan was pictured arriving at Medway Magistrates Court yesterday.

Police said a man was reported to have left the scene on a motorcycle after the stabbing. The arrest took place on Mooring Road in Rochester at around 6.30pm.

Kent Police said the victim “ in his 40s “ is in a serious but stable condition after being airlifted to hospital. (Vanguard, excluding headline)