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Man remanded in custody over train stabbings

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United Kingdom

Monday, November 3


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Getty Images Black-clad police officers and emergency crews wearing green-and-yellow coveralls on the platform of Huntingdon train station, where a train has stopped.
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Emergency crews and police rushed to Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire after 999 calls from the London-bound train

A 32-year-old man has been remanded in custody, charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after multiple people were stabbed on a train.

Anthony Williams was arrested after the attack on an LNER train from Doncaster to London King's Cross, which stopped in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, shortly before 20:00 GMT on Saturday.

Mr Williams, who gave his address as"no fixed abode", appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Monday wearing a grey tracksuit and handcuffs.

He was also charged with possessing a bladed article and one count of actual bodily harm in connection to an alleged assault on a police officer in custody.

Mr Williams is also accused of carrying out an earlier knife attack on another train in east London at about 00:45 on Saturday morning.

He is charged with a separate count of attempted murder and possessing a bladed article after a person suffered facial injuries in the attack at Pontoon Dock DLR station in Silvertown.

The court named the victims of the 10 counts of attempted murder at Huntingdon Railway Station as: Scott Bletcher, David Presland, Sachin Balakrishnan, Michael Paffett, Kevin Neely, Jonathan Gjoshe, Stephen Crean, Samir Zitouni, Rasza Aslam, Scott Green.

Mr Williams, whose address was listed in court documents as Cuckmere Lane, Southampton, will next appear at Cambridge Crown Court on 1 December.

Reuters A forensic officer in a white suit bending over and pointing their camera at the platform. On the platform are scattered possessions. Three police officers are in the foreground.Reuters
A railway staff member who protected passengers during the Huntingdon attack is in a"critical but stable condition"

The attack took place on the 18:25 London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, to London's King's Cross station.

Police received the first call from passengers on board at 19:39. Soon after the train was diverted to Huntingdon, an unscheduled stop.

Emergency crews took 10 people to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge - which is 30 minutes away from the station - and one person later went to the hospital for treatment.

A railway staff member who protected passengers during the Huntingdon attack is in a"critical but stable condition" in hospital, according to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

Eleven people have been treated in hospital and five are still receiving care.

Reuters A police officer in a hi-vis jacket over his uniform stepping into the cab of a red, yellow and white train.Reuters
A police officer inspects the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train where the series of stabbings took place, at a platform at Huntingdon Station

Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said:"The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority for British Transport Police.

"Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences."

Tracy Easton, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said it had"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."

Shaun Whitmore/BBC Five police officers walk along the track wearing high vis coats and black police hats. They are all staring down at the track looking for clues. The platform is next to them, with a plastic shelter, where two other officers are talking.
Shaun Whitmore/BBC
British Transport Police officers have been carrying out searches in Huntingdon

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was contacted by Cambridgeshire Constabulary on Sunday about the incident on the train.

But it said it would not be investigating the incident, as"it did not meet the criteria for a valid referral".

An IOPC spokesperson said:"There was no indication of direct or indirect police contact with any of the people seriously injured in the incident.

"We have advised the force that if any conduct matters are identified for any officers or staff, then this should be referred to us."

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