Huntingdon train suspect charged with more offences including ‘attack on boy’

A man suspected of a mass stabbing on board an LNER train has been charged with two further counts of attempted murder and other offences.

Anthony Williams is facing further charges following a stabbing rampage on board the train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross earlier this month.

Passengers ran for their lives and hid in the toilets while a train crew member tried to fend off the attack on board the packed weekend service.

Williams, 32, from Peterborough, is already facing 11 counts of attempted murder following the train attack and a separate incident in London a day before.

He has now been charged with seven further offences, including the attempted murder of a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man in Peterborough.

He is also accused of attempted grievous bodily harm of a 28-year-old man in Peterborough on October 31.

The new charges also include affray and carrying a blade in connection with an incident at Ritzy Barbers, theft of knives from Asda and assault of a 31-year-old man on board a train between Hitchin and Biggleswade, all on October 31.

BTP Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: ‘These are a significant set of new charges.

‘Our investigation into the awful incident at Huntingdon has also focused on other offences previously reported to police or identified by our investigation.

‘We have worked closely with our colleagues in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police alongside the Crown Prosecution Service to bring these charges.’

Train worker Samir Zitouni, 48, has been hailed a hero after protecting passengers when an attack unfolded.

Mr Zitouni, who has worked for LNER for over 20 years, was critically injured when fending off the attacker but has since been discharged from the hospital.

Nottingham Forest football fan, Stephen Crean, has also been praised for his bravery in trying to protect fellow passengers as he came face-to-face with the suspected attacker.

Mr Crean described the chilling moment the attacker asked him ‘do you want to die?’ as the 61-year-old tried to defend himself with fists before he was stabbed.

He said he was ‘lucky’ despite being stabbed six times, including on his head, back, face and arm. The football fan managed to fight off the attacker and lock himself in a toilet until armed police arrived.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander thanked the rail staff and first responders who rushed to the scene within minutes as the train was diverted to Huntingdon station.

She said: ‘It was an honour to meet some of the brave first responders to the horrific train attack in Huntingdon.  

‘LNER’s train driver, Network Rail’s signaller, British Transport Police officers and the staff at Huntingdon station, told me about the actions they took on Saturday as the attack unfolded.  

‘It was incredibly moving to hear, and it’s clear their quick thinking and selfless responses were nothing short of heroic.  

‘The measures they took undoubtedly saved lives and it was a privilege to thank them in person today for their work.’

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