A man accused of stabbing 11 people on a London-bound train in Cambridgeshire will face trial in October 2026. Anthony Williams, 32, is charged with 10 counts of attempted murder following the horrific attack on 1 November 2025. The incident left passengers fleeing through carriages, hiding in toilets, and using a whiskey bottle to defend themselves [citation:1][citation:6].
The mass stabbing took place on the 6:25pm LNER train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. Panic erupted shortly after the train left Peterborough station at 7:29pm. Within minutes, the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon, where armed police tasered and arrested a man holding a large knife [citation:3][citation:4].
What Happened on the Huntingdon Train?
The attack began around 7:30pm on Saturday, 1 November 2025. British Transport Police received the first 999 call at 7:42pm. Officers arrived within eight minutes. The train had already been halted at Huntingdon station after the emergency brake was activated [citation:2][citation:5].
Witnesses described scenes of “pure panic” and “chaos” aboard the nine-carriage train. One passenger told the BBC: “I looked at my hand and it was covered in blood.” Another said: “You just looked around and there was blood just everywhere” [citation:4].
Victims included a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man. A railway staff member who tried to stop the attacker remains in critical condition. Police described his actions as “nothing short of heroic” and said he “undoubtedly saved many people’s lives” [citation:6][citation:7].
Eyewitness Accounts: ‘Run, There’s a Guy Stabbing Everyone’
Olly Foster, a passenger on the train, initially thought the commotion was a Halloween prank. Within minutes, people started pushing through his carriage. He noticed his hand was “covered in blood” from leaning on a blood-soaked seat [citation:4].
An older man blocked the attacker from stabbing a young girl. He suffered a gash to his head and neck. Passengers used jackets to try to staunch the bleeding. The only weapon available in one carriage was a bottle of whiskey, leaving travellers “staring down the carriage” and “praying” the attacker would not enter [citation:4].
Joe, 24, from Peckham, told the BBC: “The scariest thing was that I knew there are quite a lot of big distances between stops. We had no idea how long we were going to be on the train for. What if we run out of carriages to run through? What if we reach the end of the train?” [citation:4]
The Arrest: ‘Kill Me, Kill Me, Kill Me’
Two men were initially arrested at the scene. A 32-year-old black British male and a 35-year-old British male of Caribbean descent were both detained on suspicion of attempted murder. However, police quickly determined that the 35-year-old was not involved. He was released with no further action [citation:3][citation:7].
A taxi driver who witnessed the arrest described the suspect’s behaviour. Viorel Turturica, 42, told ITV News: “He was holding the knife straight and asking the police to kill him. He repeated three or four times ‘kill me, kill me, kill me.’ The police used Tasers, put him down and arrested him” [citation:3].
A knife was recovered by officers at the scene. The attack is not being treated as a terror-related incident, though the motive remains unknown [citation:2][citation:7].
The Suspect: Anthony Williams’ Previous Charges
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, boarded the train at Peterborough station. He now faces a total of 21 charges across multiple incidents. These include 10 counts of attempted murder for the Huntingdon attack [citation:1][citation:6].
Williams is also charged with an additional count of attempted murder for an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in East London on the morning of 1 November. A victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife [citation:6].
Earlier charges include the attempted murders of a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man in Peterborough on 31 October. He is also charged with affray at a barbershop in Peterborough, theft of a pack of knives from an Asda store in Stevenage, and possessing a bladed article in public places in Peterborough [citation:6].
The Heroic Train Driver and Staff Member
The train driver, identified as Andrew Johnson, diverted the train to Huntingdon station within minutes of being alerted. He spent 17 years in the Royal Navy and was deployed to Iraq in 2003 before becoming a train driver in 2018. His quick thinking allowed emergency services to respond rapidly [citation:3].
Transport Minister Heidi Alexander praised the injured LNER worker. “He went in to do his job and he left work a hero. There are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery,” she said [citation:8].
Chief investigation officer Stuart Cundy added: “Having viewed the CCTV from the train, the actions of the member of rail staff were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people’s lives” [citation:8].
When Is the Trial?
The trial of Anthony Williams was originally scheduled to begin on 22 June 2026 at Cambridge Crown Court. However, it has been pushed back to 26 October 2026, subject to the availability of a high court judge [citation:1][citation:6].
The Crown Prosecution Service is prosecuting the case. Christopher Paxton KC and Matthew Sorel-Cameron have been instructed to lead the prosecution. The trial will hear evidence from numerous witnesses and will review CCTV footage from the train [citation:1].
Police Response Under Investigation
In January 2026, an investigation was launched into the police response to an attack potentially linked to the train stabbings. Two Cambridgeshire police constables are being investigated for potential gross misconduct over alleged failures to properly investigate a stabbing in Peterborough on 27 September 2025 [citation:10].
The victim, Ricky Butcher, said he was stabbed outside Fletton Club awaiting a taxi. He required stitches for a cut to the mouth. He told the BBC he was “fuming” that Cambridgeshire Police stopped their investigation two days later. “They could have taken it more seriously – I had five witnesses with me” [citation:10].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did the Huntingdon train stabbing happen?
The attack occurred on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at approximately 7:30pm on an LNER train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.
How many people were injured in the Huntingdon train stabbing?
Eleven people were injured, including nine with life-threatening injuries. One railway staff member remains in critical condition.
Who is the suspect in the Huntingdon train stabbing?
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder and other offences.
When is the trial for Anthony Williams?
The trial is scheduled to begin on 26 October 2026 at Cambridge Crown Court.
Was the Huntingdon train stabbing a terror attack?
No. Police have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
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