Man denies attempted murder in LNER train knife attack

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 13:58 · Archive

Anthony Williams denies 14 counts of attempted murder relating to knife attacks on an LNER train, in towns and at a London station.

Anthony Williams, 33, denies 14 counts of attempted murder following incidents across multiple locations in and around London in late October and early November 2025. The charges relate to ten alleged attempted murders on an LNER train from Doncaster to London King's Cross on 1 November, three in Peterborough and one at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London.

Several people were injured on the LNER train, which made an emergency stop in Huntingdon. Williams has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wounding with intent relating to the train incident, as well as to wounding with intent of a man at Pontoon Dock DLR station in the early hours of 1 November and wounding with intent of a 14-year-old boy in Peterborough on 31 October. He has also pleaded guilty to a number of other offences.

Williams' trial opened at Cambridge Crown Court on 28 October. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told the court that Williams posed 'a dangerous threat, marauding through towns and cities, on streets and trains alike, armed with a knife'. He described Williams as 'striking out at them when they were defenceless and in fear'.

Mr Paxton told the court that passengers 'ran for their lives' in 'sheer terror', describing them as 'trapped on a moving train' with nowhere further to go. The victims, he said, 'were no threat to the defendant, nor were any others he encountered on that train'.

The prosecution alleges that when Williams attacked people with a knife, he had the intention to kill.

Man denies attempted murder in LNER train knife attack — Image: Peterborough Telegraph

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How it is being reported

Attacker ‘brought terror’ to train passengers in stabbing 'rampage' court toldTrain passengers fled “in sheer terror” during a knife attack on nine passengers and a member of train crew on a London-bound LNER service, a court has heard.Peterborough Telegraph · 28 Oct, 13:07
LNER train passengers 'ran for their lives' in 'sheer terror', court hearsThe prosecution told Anthony Williams’ trial the passengers "ran for their lives" in "sheer terror" amid a knife attack on board an LNER train last year.Cambs Times · 28 Oct, 12:31
LNER train passengers 'ran for their lives' in 'sheer terror', court hearsThe prosecution told Anthony Williams’ trial the passengers "ran for their lives" in "sheer terror" amid a knife attack on board an LNER train last year.Ely Standard · 28 Oct, 12:31

In this story: Anthony Williams · Christopher Paxton · LNER · Cambridge Crown Court · Huntingdon · Peterborough · Pontoon Dock DLR station · London King's Cross

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