A 32-year-old man, Anthony Williams, has been charged with eleven counts of attempted murder following knife attacks on two separate trains in England, British Transport Police said on Monday.
Williams, from Peterborough in central England, faces 10 counts of attempted murder linked to a mass stabbing on a London-bound train on Saturday evening, and another count connected to an earlier incident in London the same day.
He was also charged with two counts of possessing a bladed article and one count of actual bodily harm over an alleged assault on a police officer after his arrest.
Police said one victim, a train staff member who tried to stop the attacker, remains in a “critical but stable” condition, while several others are still being treated in hospital.
Tracy Easton, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Direct, said prosecutors had reviewed “a huge volume of evidence including CCTV” before bringing the charges.
“We know the devastating impact the events on Saturday’s train have had and how the incident shocked the entire country. Our thoughts remain with all those affected,” she said.
Williams appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday wearing a grey tracksuit and handcuffs, flanked by four security officers. He was not asked to enter a plea and gave “no fixed abode” when asked for his address. His case was sent to Cambridge Crown Court, with the next hearing set for December 1.
The attack occurred on the 6:25 p.m. service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. Police said they received reports of multiple stabbings around 7:42 p.m. and arrested Williams within eight minutes of arriving at Huntingdon Station in Cambridgeshire, where the train made an emergency stop.
Officers used a stun gun during the arrest after the suspect reportedly brandished a knife.
The British Transport Police confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related but urged witnesses to come forward.
Cambridgeshire Police are also investigating whether Williams is connected to three other knife incidents, including the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy the day before.
The stabbings prompted a heavy police presence across the national rail network, with increased patrols and temporary service disruptions between King’s Cross and Peterborough.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander praised the “heroic” train worker who intervened, saying he “put himself in harm’s way” to protect passengers.
“His bravery likely prevented further loss of life,” she said.
