The trial of Anthony Williams, accused of attempting to murder 14 people in a series of knife attacks on trains and in the streets of Peterborough, Huntingdon and London, opened at Cambridge Crown Court. The prosecution told the jury that Williams intended to kill his victims, citing his question 'do you want to die?' to one passenger and the repeated use of a knife.
On 1 November 2025, an LNER train travelling from Peterborough to London made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon after a passenger launched a knife attack, causing passengers to flee "in sheer terror", prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said.
Williams, 33, of Peterborough, is accused of attempting to murder 10 people on that train, including a 73-year-old passenger who was stabbed after falling to the ground. The jury was told they would see footage of the victim's hand coming up from the floor as Williams stood over him wielding the knife.
Paxton described the actions of some passengers and crew as "extraordinary bravery", noting that one crew member tried to fend off the attacker with a frying pan but was stabbed multiple times. Another passenger who launched himself at Williams was asked: "Do you want to die?", which the prosecution said was clear evidence of an intention to kill.
Williams is also accused of attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy and two other people in Peterborough the day before, and a 17-year-old on a Docklands Light Railway train at Pontoon Dock in the early hours of 1 November. During that attack, a witness reported hearing Williams repeatedly say: "Are you trying to beef with the devil?"
The judge, Mr Justice Calver, noted that Williams was appearing via videolink from Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire, rather than sitting in the dock, to ensure his effective participation and avoid a four-hour round trip.
The trial continues, with the jury set to consider whether Williams intended to kill when he carried out the attacks, rather than whether he carried them out at all.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The trial centres on the question of intent, which will determine if the defendant is convicted of attempted murder or lesser offences.
- The attacks on public transport raise concerns about passenger safety and the response of train operators to such emergencies.
- The case also highlights how the court manages defendants with mental health needs, as Williams appeared via videolink from hospital.
Background
The attacks took place over Halloween weekend 2025, starting in Peterborough on 31 October and continuing into 1 November on trains in Cambridgeshire and London. Williams was arrested after the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon. He was later charged with 14 counts of attempted murder.
What to Watch
- The jury's verdict on whether Williams had the specific intent to kill his victims.
- Any psychiatric evidence presented regarding the defendant's mental state at the time of the attacks.
- The sentencing outcome if convicted, and its impact on public confidence in rail security.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe prosecution says Williams asked a passenger, “do you want to die?”BBC News: “Paxton said Williams asked Crean “do you want to die?””
- SupportedWilliams denies 14 counts of attempted murder.BBC News: “Williams, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder.”
- Partly supportedWilliams is accused of attempting to murder 14 people in attacks on trains and in the streets of Peterborough, Huntingdon and London.BBC News: “He 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, and William Ogelby at Railworld car park in the city shortly afterwards.”
- SupportedThe trial opened at Cambridge Crown Court, where the prosecution said Williams intended to kill, citing his question to a passenger and his use of a knife.BBC News: “Opening the prosecution case at Cambridge Crown Court, Christopher Paxton KC said”
- SupportedOn 1 November 2025, a London-bound LNER train from Peterborough made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon, and passengers fled “in sheer terror”.BBC News: “Train passengers fled “in sheer terror” from a knife attacker”
- Partly supportedWilliams is accused of attempting to murder 10 people on the train, including a 73-year-old passenger who was stabbed after falling.BBC News: “He is accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers and staff on a train that had to make an emergency stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on 1 November 2025. ... Presland, who the court heard was attacked after he fell to the ground.”
- SupportedA crew member tried to stop Williams with a frying pan and was stabbed multiple times.BBC News: “Samir Zitouni, a member of the train's crew, tried to use a frying pan to stop Williams, but was stabbed multiple times, the court heard.”
- Partly supportedPaxton described actions by passengers and crew as “extraordinary bravery”.BBC News: “He added that some had locked themselves in toilets, and others showed “extraordinary bravery” in trying to fend Williams off by grabbing items such as a toaster from the buffet car to protect themselves.”
- SupportedWilliams is accused of attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy and two other people in Peterborough the day before, and a 17-year-old on a DLR train at Pontoon Dock.BBC News: “He 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, and William Ogelby at Railworld car park in the city shortly afterwards.”
- SupportedDuring the DLR attack, a witness said Williams repeatedly asked, “Are you trying to beef with the devil?”BBC News: “During that attack, jurors were told a witness said she heard the defendant repeatedly say: “Are you trying to beef with the devil?””
- SupportedJudge Mr Justice Calver said Williams appeared by videolink from Rampton Hospital to support his effective participation and avoid a four-hour round trip.BBC News: “He said it would “best ensure his effective participation in the trial”, and would avoid a four-hour round trip to court.”
- SupportedThe jury must decide whether Williams intended to kill, not whether he carried out the attacks.BBC News: “The trial has been told that whether Williams carried out the attacks was not in question, but jurors must consider whether he intended to kill those individuals when he carried out the attacks.”