🔴 TRAIN STABBING SUSPECT CHARGED WITH 10 ATTEMPTED MURDERS
Anthony Williams, 32, accused of multiple knife attacks on LNER train & DLR station — as police probe linked stabbings in one of Britain’s worst rail incidents. A 32-year-old man has appeared in court charged with ten counts of attempted murder following a major knife attack on a train in Cambridgeshire on Saturday evening.
Anthony Williams, of Langford Road, Peterborough, is accused of carrying out a series of stabbings aboard the 18:25 London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service travelling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, which made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station shortly before 20:00 GMT.
Emergency services were called to the scene after passengers raised the alarm at 19:39, prompting a large-scale police response. Ten people were taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, with one additional casualty later seeking treatment. A member of railway staff who intervened to protect passengers remains in a critical but stable condition, according to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
Williams faces ten charges of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of possessing a bladed article. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the charge of actual bodily harm relates to an alleged assault on a police officer in a custody suite following his arrest.
British Transport Police said he is also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with a separate incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London earlier the same day. A man was attacked there at around 00:45, suffering facial injuries after being struck with a knife.
Williams appeared before Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning. Wearing a grey sweatshirt and trousers, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. The brief seven-minute hearing saw him formally remanded in custody, with the case sent to Cambridge Crown Court where he is due to appear on 1 December.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy of British Transport Police said: “The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority for British Transport Police. Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences. Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation.”
Tracy Easton, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the decision to charge followed close cooperation with police investigators and a detailed review of extensive CCTV and other evidence. She added that the number of charges “will be kept under review as this continues to progress.”
The train involved, an LNER service from Doncaster, was held at Huntingdon station for forensic examination over the weekend and departed again early on Monday morning. Scenes-of-crime officers remained at the platform into the early hours as evidence was gathered from multiple carriages.
The incident, described by detectives as one of the most serious multi-victim attacks on the rail network in recent years, has prompted continued forensic and witness inquiries across two counties. British Transport Police confirmed that it is liaising with both Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police as part of a wider investigation into Williams’ alleged movements throughout the day.
Eleven people in total have received hospital treatment, five of whom remain under medical care. Officers continue to appeal for anyone with mobile phone footage or relevant information to come forward.
Williams remains in custody ahead of his next court appearance, with prosecutors expected to outline the full circumstances of the alleged offences at a later hearing.
