Passengers aboard an LNER train travelling to London used frying pans, toasters and other items to defend themselves during an alleged knife attack that left 10 people injured, a court has heard.
Anthony Williams, 33, is accused of carrying out a series of violent attacks across England over Halloween weekend last year, culminating in a mass stabbing aboard the train on November 1.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told Cambridge Crown Court that Williams posed a dangerous threat as he moved between towns, streets and trains armed with a knife.
The jury heard that passengers fled through the carriages in terror, hiding in toilets, storage cupboards and beneath seats. Some attempted to fight back or calm the attacker, while others ran from the train when it stopped.
Williams has admitted attacking people with a knife and intending to cause them serious harm, but denies 14 counts of attempted murder.
LNER Train Diverted to Huntingdon After Attack
The stabbing aboard the London-bound service began shortly after Williams boarded at Peterborough station at 7.26pm on November 1.
He was allegedly carrying a large kitchen knife and a bottle of fortified tonic wine. The train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon at 7.44pm after the driver diverted it in response to the unfolding violence.
Paxton told the court that the incident lasted approximately 15 minutes, during which passengers were attacked and others tried to protect themselves and those around them.
“Those on the train posed no threat to the defendant,” the prosecutor said, adding that the alleged attacks had caused widespread fear among passengers.
Hundreds of people reportedly ran along the platform when the train stopped. Armed police attended the station, and Williams was arrested.
Passengers Used Kitchen Equipment to Defend Themselves
Footage shown to the court captured passengers wearing coats and hats rushing through the carriages as Williams allegedly approached them, slashing and stabbing with his knife.
Some passengers locked themselves in toilets or hid in storage areas and beneath seats. Others tried to prevent further attacks by using items they could find on the train.
Paxton said some passengers showed what he described as “extraordinary bravery” by picking up frying pans and toasters to keep Williams at a distance.
Others reportedly tried to speak to him, asking why he was attacking people and telling him they loved him, but the attempts did not stop the violence.
The court heard that Stephen Crean confronted Williams after deciding the attacker had to be stopped. CCTV footage showed Crean launching himself at Williams and grappling with him along the carriage.
Crean sustained injuries to his hand, head and lower back during the struggle.
The jury was also told that Williams allegedly asked Crean, “Do you want to die?”
Train crew member Samir Zitouni reportedly attempted to stop Williams with a frying pan but was stabbed multiple times.
Several Passengers Suffered Serious Knife Injuries
Among those attacked aboard the train was 73-year-old David Presland, who prosecutors described as defenceless after falling to the floor.
Another passenger, Scott Green, was sitting with his dog, Poppy, when the attack began. The court heard that he feared for his life and tried to grab the knife blade.
Kevin Deely suffered stab wounds to his scalp and a cut approximately four inches deep to his stomach.
Jonathan Gjoshe was stabbed several times in the upper right arm and chest. He reportedly jumped over a table to escape before warning other passengers to run.
Describing the pain from his injuries as “unreal”, Gjoshe asked medical staff at Huntingdon station whether he was going to die.
Sachin Balakrishnan was also attacked. Prosecutors said Williams tried several times to stab him, but Balakrishnan’s reflexes helped him avoid further injury.
Balakrishnan sustained wounds to his right forearm and chest. The chest injury punctured his left lung and came within approximately an inch and a half of his heart.
He had been speaking to his partner on the phone before the attack and fled after the confrontation, warning fellow passengers that a man was carrying a knife.
Attacks Began in Peterborough on Halloween
The prosecution said the series of alleged attacks began on October 31, when a 14-year-old boy was stabbed at a footbridge in Peterborough.
Two other men, Dawid Taborski and William Ogelby, were attacked nearby but escaped without injuries.
Williams was also involved in an incident at Ritzy barbershop in Peterborough shortly afterwards, the court heard. He has admitted affray and possessing a knife in connection with that incident.
Prosecutors said he entered the shop while carrying a kitchen knife after drinking alcohol from a bottle. People inside reportedly moved away from him before he left.
He then travelled to Peterborough railway station and boarded a London-bound train at approximately 8.20pm.
Passenger Raises Concerns About Williams’ Behaviour
During the journey from Peterborough, passenger Kierah Lee Oakman became concerned about Williams’ behaviour, which prosecutors described as erratic.
The court heard that he was muttering words including “devil” and “power”. After he approached her, Oakman got off the train at St Neots in Cambridgeshire and sent a text message to British Transport Police.
Officers were dispatched to the next stop, Stevenage. They saw a person matching Williams’ description get off the train and cross the tracks approximately 150 feet away.
However, officers decided not to follow the individual because of the danger posed by passing trains. Paxton told the court that the person, who was dressed entirely in black, was likely to have been Williams.
The jury also heard that Williams later admitted stealing a pack of kitchen knives from an Asda store in Stevenage.
Teenager Stabbed on Docklands Light Railway
Later that night, Williams allegedly attacked 17-year-old Isaiah Idris aboard a Docklands Light Railway train in east London.
The incident occurred as the train travelled towards Pontoon Dock station, where Idris managed to escape.
Idris told the court that his attacker had sliced his face and hands as he tried to defend himself. He also recalled Williams repeatedly asking whether he was “beefing with the devil”.
Idris, now 18, underwent surgery on his hand and spent four days in hospital before being discharged.
Williams has also admitted common assault in connection with a separate incident in the early hours of November 1, when he spat at passenger Jordan Morley while travelling by train back to Peterborough.
Prosecutors Detail Events Before the Mass Stabbing
The court heard that Williams later contacted his bank, Capital One, to report that he had lost his debit card before setting out again on the evening of November 1.
He arrived at Peterborough station and boarded the LNER service to London at 7.26pm.
Paxton said Williams had been drinking alcohol, talking and gesticulating with his hands before the attacks began. At times, he appeared unsteady on his feet, the prosecutor told the jury.
The first passenger attacked on the service was Gjoshe, who suffered several stab wounds before escaping and alerting others.
Williams then allegedly attempted to stab Balakrishnan multiple times before moving through the train and attacking other passengers.
Paxton said the people aboard the service were not threatening Williams and had no lawful reason to be attacked.
Defendant Appears From High-Security Hospital
Williams appeared before Cambridge Crown Court by video link from Rampton Hospital, a high-security psychiatric hospital in Nottinghamshire.
He wore a grey jumper and occasionally put on glasses during the proceedings. An intermediary was present to assist him if he needed help understanding what was being said.
The jury was told that Williams had admitted carrying out knife attacks and intending to cause really serious harm, but disputes the allegation that he intended to kill the 14 people covered by the attempted murder charges.
Mr Justice Calver told jurors they would need to decide whether Williams intended to kill those he attacked, as the prosecution alleges.
The trial is expected to last six weeks and is continuing.
