By Sohaib Shams
Anthony Williams, 33, went on trial at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers and staff on a London-bound LNER train on 1 November last year. He also faces four additional attempted murder charges related to stabbings in the 24 hours before the train attack. Williams, of no fixed abode, denies all 14 counts of attempted murder but has previously admitted wounding 12 people.
Prosecutor describes scale of terror
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told jurors that Williams “caused terror and fear on an unimaginable scale” as he moved up and down the busy train, stabbing several people. With no escape, some passengers ran for their lives and hid in toilets, storage cabinets and under seats. Paxton showed CCTV footage of passenger Stephen Crean attempting to wrestle the knife from Williams, who allegedly told him: “Do you want to die?” Crean suffered cuts to his hand, head and lower back.
Passengers and crew praised for bravery
Paxton highlighted the “extraordinary bravery” of those who tried to stop Williams. Passenger Scott Green was stabbed while trying to grab the knife, and train crew member Samir Zitouni was stabbed multiple times as he used a frying pan to confront the attacker. The prosecutor also commended the train driver for making an emergency stop at Huntingdon, which allowed police to board and arrest Williams.
Previous attacks detailed
Jurors heard that earlier on 1 November, Williams approached a 17-year-old boy on the Docklands Light Railway in London, asked if he was “beefing the devil,” then knifed him in the face and hand. On the evening of 31 October, he attacked three people in Peterborough, including a 14-year-old boy. Paxton described Williams as a “dangerous threat” who marauded through towns and cities over the Halloween weekend. The trial continues on Thursday.
