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Huntingdon Train Stabbing Trial: Jury Hears How Passengers Fled for Their Lives as Accused Denies 14 Attempted Murders

A jury at Cambridge Crown Court is hearing evidence in the trial of Anthony Williams, 33, accused of 14 attempted murders following a series of knife attacks, including the mass stabbing aboard an LNER train at Huntingdon in November 2025. Williams has admitted multiple violent offences but denies intending to kill his victims. The trial continues as prosecutors examine CCTV footage, witness testimony and the actions of passengers who fought to protect others.

By John Davidson · Cambridge, England — 29 October 2026

Emergency services and British Transport Police pictured in an illustrative reconstruction of the response to the Huntingdon train stabbing attack, as the accused stands trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

Passengers trapped aboard a moving train, railway staff attempting to protect strangers and a series of violent incidents across three locations have come under scrutiny at Cambridge Crown Court, where a 33-year-old man is standing trial accused of attempted murder.

A jury at Cambridge Crown Court has heard disturbing evidence concerning a mass stabbing aboard a London-bound passenger train, as prosecutors seek to establish whether a man who has admitted carrying out multiple knife attacks intended to kill his victims.

Anthony Williams, 33, of no fixed abode, is standing trial on 14 counts of attempted murder arising from incidents in Peterborough, London and aboard an LNER service on 1 November 2025.

Williams has admitted offences including wounding with intent but denies all 14 attempted murder charges.

The distinction is central to the proceedings. While responsibility for numerous violent acts is no longer disputed, the prosecution must prove the specific intention required for attempted murder.

Passengers Trapped Aboard a Moving Train

The court heard how violence erupted aboard an LNER service travelling from Doncaster towards London on the evening of 1 November 2025.

Ten people were stabbed during the attack, which forced terrified passengers to seek refuge wherever possible.

Jurors were told that some passengers locked themselves inside toilets, while others sheltered beneath seats or inside storage compartments.

The prosecution described a situation in which passengers had limited opportunities to escape because the train was moving between stations.

As the violence continued, several people attempted to intervene, placing themselves in danger to protect fellow travellers.

The train eventually made an emergency stop at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, allowing police and emergency services to respond.

Railway Worker Among Those Who Intervened

The court heard evidence concerning the actions of railway employee Samir Zitouni, who attempted to stop the attacker using a frying pan.

He suffered multiple stab wounds during the confrontation.

Other passengers also attempted to resist the attacker, including Stephen Crean, who was shown in CCTV evidence attempting to wrestle away a knife.

Prosecutors said Crean suffered injuries to his hand, head and lower back.

The jury heard that Williams allegedly asked Crean whether he wanted to die during the confrontation.

The prosecution argues that the nature of the injuries, the repeated use of a knife and the words allegedly spoken during the attacks demonstrate an intention to kill.

That allegation remains for the jury to determine.

Earlier Violence in Peterborough

The Huntingdon attack was not the only incident examined during the trial.

Jurors have heard evidence of violence in Peterborough on 31 October 2025, the evening before the train attack.

According to the prosecution, a 14-year-old boy was stabbed near a footbridge at Henry Penn Walk.

The boy had been walking with a friend when they encountered a man carrying a rucksack.

The court heard that Williams questioned the teenagers before producing a large knife and stabbing the boy in the chest.

The teenager and his friend fled and sought shelter nearby.

The injured boy subsequently received hospital treatment for a stab wound close to his breastbone.

Williams has admitted wounding the teenager with intent but denies attempting to murder him.

The court also heard allegations involving two adult men in Peterborough, alongside an incident at a local barber shop.

Williams has entered guilty pleas to offences arising from those incidents, while denying the associated attempted murder allegations.

Further Attack on London's Railway Network

The prosecution has also outlined a separate incident at Pontoon Dock Docklands Light Railway station in east London during the early hours of 1 November 2025.

A 17-year-old boy was wounded during that incident.

Williams has admitted wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in connection with the attack.

He denies the corresponding attempted murder charge.

The prosecution is examining the sequence of incidents across the two days as part of its case concerning the defendant's alleged intentions.

CCTV Evidence Presented to Jurors

Video footage has become an important element of the prosecution case.

Jurors have been shown CCTV material relating to the violence aboard the train, including attempts by passengers to confront or escape the attacker.

The evidence is being examined alongside witness accounts, medical findings and the defendant's admissions.

Prosecutors maintain that the repeated attacks demonstrate an intention to cause death rather than solely serious injury.

The defence disputes the attempted murder allegations.

The court must assess the evidence independently and determine whether the prosecution has proved each outstanding charge beyond reasonable doubt.

Guilty Pleas Do Not Conclude Criminal Proceedings

Williams entered guilty pleas to numerous offences at Cambridge Crown Court on 19 October 2026.

These included ten counts of wounding with intent relating to the Huntingdon train attack, alongside offences connected with earlier incidents.

However, those admissions did not resolve the attempted murder charges.

The trial therefore continues before a jury, which must consider the defendant's intention during each alleged attempted murder.

A guilty plea to wounding with intent is not equivalent to an admission of attempted murder.

The defendant remains entitled to the presumption of innocence in respect of every charge he denies.

Questions Over Public Transport Safety

The proceedings have renewed attention on the vulnerability of passengers during serious violent incidents aboard moving trains.

The evidence has described how passengers and railway staff attempted to protect themselves and others while awaiting emergency intervention.

The case also raises wider questions about how multiple violent incidents occurring across different locations are identified, investigated and connected.

Those wider public safety considerations remain separate from the jury's task of determining the criminal charges against Williams.

Trial Continues at Cambridge Crown Court

The proceedings remain ongoing, with further evidence expected to be examined.

No verdict has been reached on the 14 attempted murder charges.

Davidson Press will continue monitoring developments from Cambridge Crown Court, including further witness evidence, submissions from the prosecution and defence, and the eventual findings of the jury.

The case remains active and subject to reporting restrictions and the legal protections applicable to ongoing criminal proceedings.