Man faces 14 attempted murder charges over train and DLR attacks

Anthony Williams is on trial at Cambridge Crown Court facing 14 counts of attempted murder. The charges stem from a series of alleged knife attacks that occurred across Cambridgeshire and east London over the Halloween weekend in 2025. Williams, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies all charges.

Train attacks and DLR incident

Opening the prosecution case, Christopher Paxton KC told the jury that Williams is accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers and staff on a Doncaster to King's Cross train between Peterborough and Huntingdon on November 1, 2025. Jurors were shown CCTV footage of passenger Stephen Crean attempting to disarm Williams during the incident. The court heard that Williams asked one victim, Mr Crean, 'do you want to die?'. The prosecution stated this question, along with the use of a knife, was clear evidence of the defendant's intention to kill.

The trial also heard that Williams is accused of attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy and Dawid Taborski on a footbridge near Henry Penn Walk in Peterborough on October 31, 2025. He is also accused of attempting to murder William Ogelby at the Railworld car park in the city shortly afterwards. Following these incidents, Williams was seen drinking alcohol outside a barber shop before entering it brandishing a knife.

Further charges relate to an incident in east London, where Williams is accused of stabbing a 17-year-old on a Docklands Light Railway train at Pontoon Dock in Silvertown in the early hours of November 1, 2025. A witness reportedly heard Williams repeatedly say, 'Are you trying to beef with the devil?' during this attack.

Focus on intent

Mr Paxton told the jury that the defendant posed a dangerous threat, marauding through towns and cities armed with a knife and seeking to end lives with deadly intention. He described how some victims showed 'extraordinary bravery' in trying to defend themselves and others, with one crew member attempting to use a frying pan to stop Williams. The court heard that the train driver's quick thinking, causing the LNER service to make an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon, ultimately halted the train rampage.

The prosecution emphasised that whether Williams carried out the attacks is not in dispute. The central question for the jury is to determine if he intended to kill the individuals he attacked. The court was informed that Williams is appearing via videolink from Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire.

What happens next

The trial at Cambridge Crown Court is ongoing. The jury will consider the evidence presented by the prosecution and defence to determine Anthony Williams' intent during the alleged attacks.