Man appears in court after mass stabbing on train in Cambridgeshire | UK news

A man who appeared in court on attempted murder charges following a mass stabbing on a high-speed train in Cambridgeshire that injured 10 people and a separate incident on London’s public transport network that left another person injured has been remanded in custody.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, was charged with 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed instrument in relation to the two incidents.

He was not asked to enter a plea at the hearing at Peterborough magistrates’ court on Monday. Williams, who wore a gray tracksuit and appeared handcuffed as he stood on the dock next to four security guards, said he had “no fixed abode” when asked for his address. His case was sent to Cambridge crown court and the next hearing is scheduled for December 1.

CPS Direct chief prosecutor Tracy Easton said: “Our team of out-of-hours prosecutors worked to establish that there was sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it was in the public interest to continue the criminal investigation.

“We have worked closely with British Transport Police to review a wealth of evidence, including CCTV. The number of charges will be kept under review as this case progresses. We know the devastating impact of the events on Saturday’s train and how it shook the whole country. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”

British Transport Police (BTP) said 10 of the 11 attempted murders against Williams were related to attacks on an LNER train, while the 11th was related to another incident on a train at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London earlier the same day. In the incident, a victim who was attacked with a knife was injured in his face. Police said they are also investigating other possible crimes.

An LNER staff member remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital following stabbings on the Doncaster to London service. The other 4 people are in hospital.

BTP said two people were arrested on Sunday morning. However, on Sunday night a 35-year-old man from London was released without further action. Police said he was not involved in the attack.

This follows a major incident on the service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross at 6.25pm ​​on Saturday evening; This incident caused the train to divert for an emergency stop at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, about an hour into the journey.

BTP said two men were arrested within eight minutes of officers being called, with one believed to have been shot by police with a stun gun after brandishing a knife.

The police stated that there was no sign that the incident was terrorism and asked the public to provide information.

Police said at a news conference Sunday morning that 11 people were treated in hospital and four were later discharged.

Supt John Loveless told reporters at the scene in Huntingdon on Sunday: “At around 7.42pm yesterday evening, calls were made to the force regarding multiple stabbings on a train service.

“Officers, alongside paramedics, immediately attended Huntingdon station, where armed officers from Cambridgeshire Police boarded the train and arrested two men within eight minutes of a 999 call being made.”

The incident, along with disruption to trains between King’s Cross and Peterborough, has led to an increase in the number of police officers deployed across the rail network until at least the end of Monday, with the closure of Huntingdon station also expected to last until at least then.

In a message released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles said: “My wife and I were truly horrified and shocked to hear of the horrific stabbing attack on a train in Cambridgeshire last night.

“Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with those affected and their loved ones. We are particularly grateful to the emergency services for their response to this terrible incident.”

Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood praised the bravery of staff and passengers on the train and confirmed that the attack was not being treated as terrorism.

He wrote on social media: “My thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families today following last night’s horrific attack.

“My deepest thanks go to British Transport Police, Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue and the East of England Ambulance Service. They responded very professionally, quickly and saved lives.

“I would also like to recognize the extraordinary bravery of the staff and passengers on the train.”