Man Charged Over Huntingdon Train and Knife Attacks

Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and other offences including actual bodily harm and possession of a bladed weapon after a weekend stabbing spree that injured about 11–13 people on a Doncaster-to-London LNER service and in separate incidents in and around London. Police say armed officers tasered and arrested him after the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon and that a second man initially held was released without charge. Investigators allege Williams carried out a string of knife incidents in the 24 hours beforehand — including an alleged stabbing of a 14-year-old in Peterborough, a barbershop attack captured on CCTV, and an assault at Pontoon Dock DLR — and Counter Terrorism Policing is assisting although the case is not being treated as terrorism. An LNER customer experience host, Samir “Sam” Zitouni, was seriously injured after confronting the attacker and remains in critical condition; around a dozen other victims were taken to hospital, and several have been discharged. Williams appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court, was remanded in custody pending further hearings, and cross-force investigations continue while police urge the public not to publish material that could prejudice proceedings. The train driver and on-board staff have been widely praised, including by the prime minister, for actions that helped save lives.