Huntingdon train attack: Man charged with multiple counts of attempted murder appears in court

Huntingdon train attack: Man charged with multiple counts of attempted murder appears in court

From the moment the knifeman began his frenzied attack on board the 6.25pm service from Doncaster to London on Saturday night, the response has been rapid, ITV Calendar Political Correspondent Charapreet Khaira reports


  • A man has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder in connection with a stabbing attack on a train on Saturday and a separate incident at a London station earlier the same day

  • Police are also investigating three knife-related incidents in Peterborough, two on Friday and one early on Saturday, as part of the probe into the train attack

  • A member of train staff remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after trying to stop the attacker during Saturday’s incident


A man charged over a mass stabbing on a busy train in Cambridgeshire, and a separate attack at a London station earlier that day, has been remanded in custody.

Anthony Williams, 32, was charged with ten counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and one count of possessing a bladed article following an attack on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday, according to British Transport Police.

Cambridgeshire Police said three separate knife-related incidents were being investigated as part of the police probe into a mass stabbing on a high-speed train.

Williams also faces an additional charge of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in relation to an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London, in the early hours of Saturday, in which a victim suffered injuries after being attacked with a knife.

He was wearing a grey tracksuit and in handcuffs as he appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday, flanked by four security officers.

He was not asked to enter pleas and, when questioned about his address, mumbled “no fixed abode”.

Huntingdon train incident
Emergency responders on the tracks by the train at Huntingdon station on Saturday night.Credit: Chris Radburn/PA

He was remanded in custody until a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.

On Monday, Cambridgeshire Police said a 14-year-old boy has been identified as a stabbing victim in a separate incident to Saturday’s Huntingdon train attack that the police are investigating as part of the probe into the train attack.

The boy is thought to have been attacked in one of three knife-related incidents in Peterborough on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Police said: “We are aware of three incidents that occurred in Peterborough on Friday evening (31 October) and Saturday morning (1 November).

“The first incident of a man with a knife at a barbers in Fletton happened at 7.25pm on Friday but was reported to us at 9.10pm – two hours after the incident occurred.

“At the time of reporting the man was no longer there and had not returned, so we did not send officers, but a crime was raised.

“The second incident was reported to us at 9.25am on Saturday again by the barbers in Fletton while the man was still at the scene. Officers were deployed to the location and arrived within 18 minutes.

“Upon searching the area, officers were unable to locate the man or identify him and a crime was raised.

“There was also a third incident that police also believe may be linked which also happened on Friday 31 October at 7.10pm, where a 14-year-old was stabbed by a man with a knife in the city centre. They were taken to Peterborough City Hospital with minor injuries and were later discharged.

“The offender had left the scene when the call was made and despite a search of the area by officers and a police dog, the offender was not identified. A crime was raised and an investigation commenced, with scenes of crime attending.”


‘I was two metres from him’: A witness, Amira Ostalski, was in the same carriage as the attacker when he started stabbing passengers onboard, Good Morning Britain reports


One of the victims of Saturday’s attack has been named as Scunthorpe United defender Jonathan Gjoshe, the football club said in a statement.

Mr Gjoshe suffered non-life-threatening injuries but remains in hospital, the club added.

“Scunthorpe United can confirm registered player Jonathan Gjoshe was one of the victims affected by the shocking attack on an LNER train bound for London on Saturday evening.

“We can confirm that Jonathan sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the attack, but currently remains in hospital.

“Everyone at the club, from the board, management and his teammates, along with all staff behind the scenes, sends our heartfelt well wishes to Jonathan for a full recovery, which is also extended to all the victims on board the train.”

One of the victims of Saturday’s mass stabbing, Scunthorpe United defender Jonathan Gjoshe.Credit: Scunthorpe United FC

An LNER staff member was in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the stabbings on the Doncaster to London service, while four other people remain in hospital.

BTP declared a major incident when the train came to a stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, after passengers pulled the emergency alarms. Two men were arrested eight minutes after police were called at 7.42pm.

The suspect allegedly used a “large kitchen knife” in both attacks, according to court documents.

The assault charge Williams faces relates to him allegedly attacking a male police officer in custody after being arrested, leaving him with a “broken nose”, prosecutor Olaide Esan said.

The attack is understood to have started shortly after the train left Peterborough station.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the suspect was not known to counter-terrorism police or MI5, but she would not say if he had contact with mental health services.

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.”


Alexander praised the actions of the onboard train crew, the driver, and network operators for their efforts to help apprehend the attacker


Tracy Easton, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Direct, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Anthony Williams with 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of possession of a bladed article – following a police investigation into an incident on a LNER train from Doncaster to London on Saturday 01 November 2025.

“Our team of out-of-hours prosecutors worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We 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.

“We know the devastating impact the events on Saturday’s train has had and how the incident shocked the entire country. Our thoughts remain with all those affected.”

Armed officers at St Pancras station after Transport Secretary said there would be an increased police presence at all stations.Credit: PA

Defence Secretary John Healey praised the “swift” response of police officers to the scene.

Speaking in Uxbridge, west London, on Monday, he said: “I think the response of the emergency services was swift. The launch of the investigation was swift.

“Quite rightly, the reports to the public on the early assessments and the conclusion, giving the public as much information as the police could as soon as they could, was quite right and this is the latest development in that.

“And if the police have got more to say, they’ll let us know.”