This is the horrifying moment a man believed to be the Huntingdon suspect stormed into a Peterborough barber shop with a knife moment after allegedly stabbing a 14-year-old boy.
Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today charged with 11 counts of attempted murder in relation to the train attacks and another in east London on November 1.
Police have today launched a probe to establish whether three other incidents in Peterborough, including a sighting of a man with a knife at the barbers on the morning of the alleged rampage, are linked.
CCTV footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail allegedly shows a man entering Ritzy Barbers in the Fletton area of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire on Friday.
The man, dressed in black with his hood up, waves what appears to be a large knife around as terrified customers are seen to run to the back of the shop. He then remonstrates with staff before leaving.
He entered the shop at around 7.25pm on October 31 – some 15 minutes after another incident in which a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in Peterborough city centre.
Police say the teenager was taken to Peterborough City Hospital with minor injuries and later discharged.
Forensic officers were sent to the scene and an investigation was launched. A search aided by police dogs failed to trace the attacker.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said a man with a knife was then seen outside Ritzy at 9.25am the following morning, November 1.
CCTV footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail allegedly shows a knifeman entering Ritzy Barbers in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, on Friday
The man is seen outside the shop holding what appears to be a knife
The force says it is are ‘aware’ of the three incidents and are ‘currently reviewing all incidents in the timeframe to understand whether there were any further potential offences’.
Staff at Ritzy reported the first sighting of a man armed with a knife to police at 9.10pm on October 31, almost two hours after he entered the shop.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said it did not send officers as they had been told the man had left – but opened a crime report into the incident.
It has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in connection with the incidents.
It said in a statement: ‘We are currently reviewing all incidents in the timeframe to understand whether there were any further potential offences.
‘British Transport Police retain primacy for the overall investigation, which will include these three incidents.
‘We voluntarily referred ourselves to the IOPC for independent scrutiny of these incidents, as is standard practice in these cases.’
Williams, 32, appeared at Peterborough magistrates’ court today wearing a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms. He was in handcuffs, accompanied by four prison officers.
The defendant has been charged with 10 10 counts of attempted murder and one charge of possessing a bladed article in connection with the incident on board the 6.25pm LNER train travelling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on November 1.
He also faces additional charges of attempted murder and and possessing a bladed article 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.
The court heard he had also been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after allegedly attacking a police officer as he was brought into custody, breaking an officer’s nose.
Williams spoke only to confirm his name and address during the six-minute hearing, mumbling to the court that he was of no fixed abode.
The man was seen seemingly waving a huge knife around and shouting as customers ran to the back of the barber shop (Pictured: Ritzy Barbers in Peterborough)
A van thought to be carrying suspect Anthony Williams arrived at Peterborough magistrates’ court earlier this morning
A man was seen fleeing Huntingdon station in the aftermath of the incident, as captured in CCTV footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail
The LNER Azuma train on which the alleged attack unfolded was removed from Huntingdon station this morning (pictured leaving the station)
Documents allege that he used a ‘large kitchen knife’ in both incidents. No application was made for bail.
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, 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.’
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.
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.
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.
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.
