By Sohaib Shams
A court has heard that a knifeman accused of attempting to murder 10 people on a London-bound train asked a passenger "do you want to die?" during the attack. Anthony Williams, the defendant, is on trial at Cambridge Crown Court for a series of stabbings that began on 31 October last year and culminated in a five-minute rampage on an LNER service from Doncaster to London on 1 November.
Previous attacks detailed
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told jurors that Williams stabbed four people in the 24 hours before the train attack. In Peterborough, he stabbed a 14-year-old boy on a footbridge near Henry Penn Walk and lunged at Dawid Taborski. He then attempted to stab William Ogelby four times in a car park. In the early hours of 1 November, he knifed 17-year-old Isaiah Idris in the face and hand on the Docklands Light Railway at Pontoon Dock in London.
Train attack described
On the evening of 1 November, Williams stabbed 10 people on the moving train. Passengers fled in terror, some locking themselves in toilets or hiding under seats. Train crew member Samir Zitouni tried to stop Williams with a frying pan but was stabbed multiple times. Passenger Stephen Crean wrestled the knife from Williams, suffering wounds to his hand, head and lower back. Others, including Scott Green and Kevin Deely, were also seriously injured. The prosecutor said Williams "brought terror" and showed a clear intention to kill.
Charges and plea
Williams admits intending to harm his victims but denies 14 counts of attempted murder. The prosecution argues his actions across the Halloween weekend constituted a dangerous threat, marauding through towns and on trains armed with a knife. The trial continues.
