This is the man accused of a knife rampage on a high-speed train bound for London – as well as an earlier attack at a station in the capital earlier that day.
Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today charged with 11 counts of attempted murder.
Williams is accused of attempting to kill a man after a passenger was stabbed at Pontoon Dock Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station in east London shortly after 12.45am on November 1.
It is alleged the victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
Hours later, Williams is accused of going on a knife rampage on the high-speed 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross, where he is accused of attempting to murder 10 other people.
He is also facing two charges of possession of a bladed article on both the train and at the DLR station in London, and of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Williams appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today in handcuffs, accompanied by four prison officers.
He appeared in the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms.
The defendant spoke only to confirm his name and address during the six minute hearing, mumbling to the court that he was of no fixed abode.
Documents allege that he used a ‘large kitchen knife’ in both incidents. No application was made for bail.
Anthony Williams, 32, has appeared in court accused of a knife rampage on board a high-speed train bound for London
Williams, 32, has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder linked to the incident on the LNER train and another at a station in London. Court documents allege he used a ‘large kitchen knife’ in both attacks
Before Williams was brought into court, the judge granted an application for him to appear in cuffs after it was heard he allegedly assaulted an officer upon his arrest.
Opposing bail for Williams, prosecutor Olaide Esan told the hearing: ‘The defendant has attempted to murder 11 people in total.
‘These are serious allegations. These are very serious offences. The defendant is a risk to the trains and to the members of the public.’
Williams allegedly attacking a male police officer in custody after being arrested, leaving him with a ‘broken nose’, Ms Olaide said.
District Judge Kenneth Sheraton remanded Williams in custody and adjourned the case for a further hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
It is understood Williams is not known to the security services or counter-terrorism policing, and had not been referred to the Government anti-extremism scheme Prevent.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy of the British Transport Police said: ‘The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority.
‘Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences.’
Security has been ramped up at train stations in the wake of the attack. The LNER Azuma train involved left Huntingdon station this morning; the station itself is closed until the end of the day but the railway passing through has reopened.
Saturday’s attack saw brave train staff and passengers intervene in a bid to stop the alleged attacker as he went through the train with a knife.
The suspect is understood to have boarded the train at Peterborough before allegedly rampaging through the moving train.
Passengers ran through the carriages, barricading themselves in toilets and behind the shutters of the onboard shop in the buffet car in a bid to protect themselves.
Driver Andrew Johnson – a veteran of the second Gulf War – frantically worked with Network Rail staff to arrange for the LNER Azuma to make an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire.
The Azuma train on which the attack allegedly unfolded was removed from Huntingdon station this morning. The station will remain closed until the end of today
A van thought to be carrying suspect Anthony Williams arrived at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court earlier this morning
Williams is also alleged to have attempted to kill a man at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London (pictured) in the early hours of November 1
Security has been stepped up at train stations following the attack (pictured: armed police at St Pancras International Station in London on Monday morning)
The LNER Azuma train involved in the attack left Huntingdon station this morning (pictured leaving)
Police forensic officers examine the LNER Azuma train on Sunday following Saturday night’s horror attack
As the train pulled into the station, cool-headed railway staff ushered passengers hurriedly down the platform as the suspect followed closely behind.
The alleged attacker, still brandishing a knife, crossed the railway tracks and leapt over a fence before being subdued by police.
Nine of the 11 injured people were left fighting for their lives – with five people discharged from hospital as of last night.
An LNER worker in the cafe suffered the most egregious injuries trying to defend fellow passengers from the attacker.
He is in a ‘critical but stable’ condition today, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.
She said: ‘There are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery. He went in to do his job and he left work a hero.’
A Nottingham Forest fan travelling home from a match against Manchester United was also stabbed after bravely approaching the alleged attacker, it is understood.
Despite warnings from fellow passengers not to approach the knifeman due to his smaller stature, Stephen Crean reportedly told another Forest fan he was ‘going to go confront him’.
Mr Crean was later seen at Huntingdon station, visibly injured and receiving medical attention.
In a heartfelt Facebook post about the football fan, Munster Forest wrote: ‘I have known him for at least 10 years and he is one of the gentlest souls you could meet.
‘He bravely put himself in front of some children to protect them. What a hero he is!’
Police had initially used the codeword Plato – for a ‘marauding terror attack’ – as reports of the incident came in.
Witness Thomas McLachlan, 19, from London, who was returning from a trip to Newcastle, described how people were leaving the train ‘drenched in blood’.
Terrorism has since been ruled out as a motive and Ms Alexander said today that the suspect had not been known to MI5 or counter-terror services.
Police on the scene at Huntingdon train station in Cambridgeshire on Saturday night
Heroic passenger Stephen Crean (pictured) reportedly said he was ‘going to go confront’ the attacker before he was stabbed
Hero driver Andrew Johnson (pictured) rapidly diverted the London-bound train to Huntingdon station after being alerted to the mass stabbing, enabling emergency services to act fast
Our exclusive footage shows a man carrying a blade while walking through a car park next to Huntingdon rail station in Cambridgeshire following Saturday night’s train stabbings
Tracy Easton, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the number of charges would be ‘kept under review’ as further enquiries are carried out.
She said: ‘We worked closely with British Transport Police to review a huge volume of evidence including CCTV. The number of charges will be kept under review as this continues to progress.
‘We know the devastating impact the events on Saturday’s train has had and how the incident shocked the entire country. Our thoughts remain with all those affected.’
A 35–year–old man who was arrested at the scene has since been released with no further action after police established he was not involved in the attack.
Footage obtained by the Mail appeared to show him scream ‘it’s not me’ as he was tasered by police officers who mistook him for the attacker.
LNER boss David Horne said the firm was ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by Saturday’s events.
