Man denies 14 attempted murders after train stabbing
A 73-year-old passenger suffered a punctured lung and broken rib in an attack on an LNER service.
A 73-year-old passenger told police he believed he was going to die after being repeatedly stabbed on a London-bound train. The victim, David Presland, sustained a punctured lung and a broken rib during the incident on an LNER service. Prosecutors allege the defendant, Anthony Williams, 33, brought a knife down multiple times towards the victim's vital organs while he was on the floor.
CCTV evidence presented
CCTV footage shown to the court depicted Williams approaching Mr Presland with a knife and then stabbing him while he was on the ground. Christopher Paxton KC, prosecuting, described Mr Presland as significantly smaller and more frail than the defendant and defenceless at the time of the attack. Mr Presland recounted to officers that he was stabbed in the back and under the arm as he tried to move away. One stab wound to his upper right chest measured 6.85cm deep, causing the lung puncture and broken rib. Another stab wound to his lower back was approximately 5.9cm from his spinal cord.
The incident occurred after the LNER train departed Peterborough around 7:29pm on November 1 last year. The train was stopped at Huntingdon railway station at 7:44pm following the driver's actions. Mr Presland was among 10 individuals allegedly attacked on the train. The court heard that another passenger, Kevin, believed to be Kevin Deely, who was known to Mr Presland, also sustained stab wounds. Prosecutors stated that many passengers assisted others during the incident, with some confronting the defendant.
Further alleged attacks
Another passenger, Scott Bletcher, described feeling he was not going to survive after suffering stab wounds to his head, chest, and forearm. Mr Bletcher, who was in a window seat and unable to move, saw Williams with a knife. He contacted emergency services and hid in a bike rack until the train stopped. He told officers he felt extremely tired and struggled to stay conscious.
Williams denies 14 counts of attempted murder. These charges include the alleged attacks on 10 people on the LNER train, three individuals in Peterborough on October 31, and a 17-year-old boy at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London in the early hours of November 1. He has admitted to intending to cause harm but contests the attempted murder charges. The trial is ongoing.
Questions this report answers
01What charges does Anthony Williams face?
Anthony Williams faces 14 counts of attempted murder. He denies all these charges but has admitted to intending to cause harm during the incidents. The charges relate to alleged attacks on an LNER train and in Peterborough on November 1 last year.
02What injuries did the 73-year-old passenger sustain?
The 73-year-old passenger, David Presland, suffered a punctured lung and a broken rib. He also sustained a stab wound to his lower back. Mr Presland told police he believed he was going to die during the attack.
03Where and when did the train incident occur?
The incident occurred on an LNER train service after it left Peterborough on November 1 last year. The train was stopped at Huntingdon railway station later that evening. The defendant also faces charges related to incidents in Peterborough and London on the same evening.
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