Train attacker faces attempted murder trial
Anthony Williams accused of multiple stabbings on LNER service and elsewhere
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Anthony Williams is facing trial accused of attempting to murder 10 train passengers and staff during an incident on an LNER service. The 33-year-old is also charged with trying to kill three people in Peterborough the day before the train attack and a boy at a London railway station. Williams denies all 14 counts of attempted murder.
Train attack details emerge
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Opening the prosecution case at Cambridge Crown Court, Christopher Paxton KC told jurors that Williams boarded the train at Peterborough. During the journey, he asked one victim, Stephen Crean, 'do you want to die?', the court heard. CCTV footage showed Mr Crean attempting to disarm Williams. The prosecution stated that this question, along with the use of a knife to stab multiple individuals, was clear evidence of an intention to kill.
Jurors were informed that a train crew member, Samir Zitouni, attempted to use a frying pan to stop Williams but sustained multiple stab wounds. The court heard that other passengers locked themselves in toilets, while some used items from the buffet car, such as a toaster, to defend themselves. Mr Paxton described Williams as posing a dangerous threat, "marauding through towns and cities, on streets and trains alike, armed with a knife."
The train attack was brought to an end when the driver made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon, the station immediately south of Peterborough. The prosecution indicated that even if Williams believed his victims were connected to 'the devil', as he allegedly suggested to one individual earlier that day, it provided no lawful reason for the attacks.
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Previous incidents
Williams, of Langford Road in Peterborough, is also accused of attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy and Dawid Taborski on a footbridge near Henry Penn Walk in Peterborough on 31 October. He faces a further charge of attempting to murder William Ogelby at the Railworld car park in the city shortly afterwards. The court heard that Williams was seen drinking from a bottle of alcohol outside a barber shop before entering it with a knife. He is also accused of stabbing a 17-year-old on a Docklands Light Railway train at Pontoon Dock in Silvertown in the early hours of 1 November.
Trial proceedings
The trial is being heard by a jury of three women and nine men, presided over by Mr Justice Calver. Williams is appearing via videolink from Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire. The judge stated this arrangement would best ensure his effective participation in the trial and avoid a lengthy journey to court. The trial continues.
Questions this report answers
+What is Anthony Williams accused of?
Anthony Williams is on trial accused of 14 counts of attempted murder. These include 10 alleged attacks on passengers and staff on an LNER train between Peterborough and Huntingdon on 1 November last year, three alleged attacks in Peterborough on 31 October, and one attack on a boy at a London railway station.
+What happened during the train attack?
The court heard that Anthony Williams asked a victim 'do you want to die?' during the train attack. A train crew member tried to stop him with a frying pan but was stabbed. The driver made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station to end the incident.
+Where is Anthony Williams appearing from?
Anthony Williams is appearing at Cambridge Crown Court via videolink from Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire. The judge stated this arrangement would best ensure his effective participation in the trial and avoid a four-hour round trip to court.
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