A man charged with attempted murder is alleged to have run up behind a uniformed soldier and stabbed him several times, a court has heard.

The victim, Lt Col Mark Teeton, is in a serious but stable condition in hospital after the incident in the Sally Port Gardens area near Gillingham.

Armed police, forensics and other officers were called to the scene near Brompton Barracks at about 6pm on Tuesday.

A 24-year-old was arrested near his home in Mooring Road, Rochester, around 30 minutes later.

It was confirmed this morning by police that Anthony Esan has been charged on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court (July 25) handcuffed and flanked by three police officers.

Three other uniformed officers stood in the public gallery while the case was heard.

Esan spoke to confirm his name but asked why he was being asked the questions by the clerk.

District Judge Stephen Leake heard the attempted murder charge was indictable only and as a result, the case was being sent to the crown court to be dealt with.

Rajni Prashar, prosecuting, said: “Police received 999 calls to say a male on a moped with a large knife had stabbed a uniformed soldier, the man’s face was partially covered.

“It’s alleged he ran up behind him and the solider fell to the ground and it’s alleged he was repeatedly stabbed with a large knife, the reports said it was a machete.

“Two knives were left at the scene and the moped was traced to an address in Rochester.”

The prosecutor also told the court how three kitchen knives were found in a box on the back of the moped.

Robert Weston, defending, told District Judge Leake he wasn’t making a bail application on this occasion as he had not really had appropriate consultation with Esan before the hearing.

Esan was remanded in custody and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on August 22.

Officers say they have been “supported throughout” by counter-terrorism police but revealed yesterday they do not believe the incident to be terror-related.

KentOnline understands Lt Col Teeton, who has today being pictured for the first time, was living in military accommodation in the street.

A witness described seeing a man pull up on a moped before the Royal Engineer was attacked.

“There were about seven of us there who witnessed it,” he said.

“The soldier was in uniform.

“He works at the barracks, lives in Sally Port Gardens and was walking home.

“His wife tried to pull the attacker off.”

The witness says the attacker then rode off on the moped.

An air ambulance landed at the nearby Great Lines Heritage Park at about 6.30pm.

Forensic officers were called and a police helicopter was also seen circling overhead.

Army personnel living near the scene say the victim is a “very nice guy”.

A soldier living just down the road described the officer as “friendly”.

He said: “He's a very nice guy, very friendly, but I don't work closely with him. I’m not too sure if he has any children.”

Shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, police cordoned off part of Mooring Road — about a 10-minute drive from Sally Port Gardens.

Another witness, who lives near the Brompton Medical Centre which is close to the scene, described the officer’s wife asking for medical help.

She heard the woman say: “My husband has been stabbed – is there a first aider?”

Another woman living near the scene says she was sitting down to dinner with her family when they heard a “huge scream”.

Kent Police’s acting Chief Superintendent Richard Woolley said yesterday: “We are keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind this incident and we are exploring a number of lines of inquiry – these include the possibility this incident was mental health-related as well as any links the suspect may have with the location of the assault.

“The investigation has been supported throughout by Counter Terrorism Policing South East as we work to establish the full circumstances.

“Officers will continue to be on patrol in the area to offer reassurance to members of the public and are more than happy to speak with anyone who is upset or concerned about what has happened.

“It remains the case that we do not currently believe anyone else was involved and there is no further information at this time to suggest any wider threats to the local community, including members of the armed forces.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim, his family and those who witnessed the incident at this difficult time.”