A man, Anthony Williams, accused of carrying out multiple stabbings on an LNER train and other separate attacks, has opted out of attending a recent court hearing. Williams, aged 32, faces 10 counts of attempted murder following the incident on November 1 on a train traveling from Doncaster to London, which was halted in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Instead of appearing via video link at Cambridge Crown Court to enter his pleas, Williams chose not to participate.
The court has ordered a psychiatric evaluation to assess Williams’ mental state, and the hearing has been postponed until January 28 next year at the same court. A tentative trial date has been scheduled for June 22 at Cambridge Crown Court presided over by a High Court Judge.
In addition to the train incident, Williams, who previously stated he is homeless, is also facing charges of assault causing bodily harm to a male police officer while in custody and possession of a bladed item on November 1. Separately, he is accused of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London on the same day, where a victim endured facial injuries from a knife attack.
During the recent court session, Williams’ case was consolidated with an additional set of seven charges, resulting in a total of 21 counts. The charges include attempted murders of a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man, attempted wounding of a 28-year-old man in Peterborough on October 31, affray at a Peterborough barbershop on the same day, theft of knives from a Stevenage Asda store on October 31, assault on a man on a King’s Cross to Peterborough train on November 1, and possession of a bladed article at various locations in Peterborough on October 31.
A further hearing is scheduled for January 28 at Cambridge Crown Court, with a provisional trial date set for June 22, while Williams remains in custody.
Following the stabbing incident, a train crew member, Samir Zitouni, known as Sam, who sustained serious injuries while protecting passengers, was discharged from the hospital last month. LNER praised Zitouni, a 48-year-old staff member with over two decades of service, for his heroic actions that potentially saved multiple lives. British Transport Police confirmed that Zitouni is now continuing his recovery at home.
Zitouni’s family expressed gratitude for the public support and kind words acknowledging his bravery during the attack. They highlighted the ongoing recovery process and requested privacy to care for him as he recuperates.