Court Hears HuntingdonTrain Attack Accused Is Patient at High-Security Psychiatric Hospital

A man accused of carrying out a mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire is currently receiving treatment at a high-security psychiatric hospital, a court has been told. The update was given as the case against Anthony Williams progressed through the courts.

Williams, 32, appeared before Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday, February 4, facing 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and actual bodily harm. The charges relate to an attack on November 1 aboard the 6.25pm service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, during which 11 people were injured.

Defending Williams, Gillian Jones KC told the court that he is currently being treated at Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire. The facility is a high-security psychiatric hospital located near Woodbeck, between Retford and Rampton.

The court heard that Williams also faces further serious allegations linked to separate incidents. These include charges of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London, as well as attempted murder relating to a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man in Peterborough on October 31.

Additional matters to be considered alongside the main charges include attempted wounding with intent of a 28-year-old man, possession of a bladed article and affray, also in Peterborough on October 31. Williams is further accused of common assault against a 31-year-old man on a train travelling between Hitchin and Biggleswade on November 1.

Judge Mark Bishop ordered that a psychiatric report assessing Williams’ fitness to plead should be completed by April 7. The case was adjourned until April 14 for a further hearing. A provisional trial date has been set for June 22. Williams is of Langford Road, Peterborough.

The court was told the British-born defendant is believed to have boarded the LNER train at Peterborough station. The incident near Huntingdon is not being treated as terrorism.

Following the attack, 11 people were taken to hospital. Four were later discharged, while two remained in a life-threatening condition. Among those injured was 61-year-old Nottingham Forest supporter Stephen Crean, who intervened to confront the attacker during the incident. LNER worker Samir Zitouni, 48, has also been recognised for helping to protect passengers on board the train.

Image: British Transport Police