Huntingdon train knifeman 'marauded through streets' before attacking passengers and crew on LNER service as they fled in 'sheer terror' and locked themselves in toilets, court hears

Defenceless people ran in 'sheer terror' from a 'marauding' knifeman during a series of violent Halloween weekend attacks that culminated in a mass stabbing on a train, a court heard today.Anthony Williams, 33, is said to have 'posed a dangerous threat' as he stalked his victims 'through towns and cities, on streets and trains alike'.The assaults began on October 31 last year when three people were attacked in Peterborough, including a 14-year-old boy.The defendant then travelled to London and stabbed a man on the Docklands Light Railway before boarding a Doncaster to London LNER service on the evening of November 1 where he 'brought terror' as ten people were attacked.Horrifying footage played in court showed dozens of passengers wrapped up in coats and hats fleeing down carriages as Williams approaches them, 'slashing and stabbing with his knife'.Some hid in toilets and store cabinets or under seats, while others showed 'extraordinary bravery' by picking up 'frying pans and toasters' to fend him off.The latter included one passenger who was left with multiple injuries after grappling with Williams, who allegedly asked him: 'Do you want to die?'The attack only ended due to the 'quick thinking of the train driver', who diverted the train to Huntingdon, where hundreds of passengers sprinted down the platform before Williams was arrested. A court sketch of Anthony Williams, 33, who is accused of 14 counts of attempted murder Armed police were called to Huntingdon train station on the evening of November 1 last year'Across the Hallowe'en weekend last year, to the many people he encountered, the defendant Anthony Williams posed a dangerous threat, marauding through towns and cities, on streets and trains alike, armed with a knife,' prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told Cambridge Crown Court.'He stabbed many, seeking to end their lives with deadly intention, striking out at them when they were defenceless and in fear.'The jury was told that the defendant had admitted attacking people with a knife and 'intended to cause them really serious harm' but denies 14 counts of attempted murder.Williams appeared in court via videolink from high-security Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire.He wore a standard issue grey jumper and occasionally put on glasses as he sat in the pale grey room with legal documents in front of him.Assisting him was an intermediary who, the jury was told, was there for 'when the defendant needs help to understand what's being said'.Mr Justice Calver told jurors they would have to decide whether he intended to kill the people he attacked, as the prosecution claim.The 'rampage' began when the 14-year-old boy, who can't be named for legal reasons, was stabbed at a footbridge in Peterborough on October 31.Two men – Dawid Taborski and William Ogelby – were then attacked nearby although they avoided injury.A 17-year-old was then stabbed in the face while travelling on Docklands Light Railway in London at Pontoon Dock.Williams then boarded an LNER train at 7.26pm on November 1, clutching a 'large kitchen knife and a bottle of fortified tonic wine', where the other ten attempted murders allegedly took place.Mr Paxton said: 'In sheer terror, the train passengers ran for their lives, hiding away in locked toilets, store cabinets, or under seats until many fleeing the defendant literally ran out of train.'Trapped and facing the defendant, who had been wielding, slashing out and stabbing with his knife, some sought to defend themselves and others on the train, showing extraordinary bravery in the face of the defendant's onslaught, picking up frying pans or toasters to keep the defendant back, even trying to de-escalate the situation by asking him why was he doing it and telling him that they loved him.'But to no avail, the defendant continued his knife attack – slashing out and stabbing those around him.'Victims included 'defenceless and powerless' David Presland, 73, who was attacked after he fell on the floor.Scott Green was sitting with his dog Poppy and was so in 'fear for his own life that he tried to grab the knife blade'.Another passenger, Kevin Deely, received stab wounds to his scalp and a four-inch deep cut to his stomach.Describing how there were 'only so many places you can hide' on a moving train, Mr Paxton said some passengers 'stood tall' by 'defending themselves and putting themselves in harm's way to protect strangers'.These included Stephen Crean, who was 'half in and half out of a buffet serving area' when he decided that the defendant was 'on a mission' and he 'had to try and stop it'.CCTV showed the extraordinary scene as he launched himself at the assailant and grappled with him down the carriage, leaving him with wounds to the hand, head and lower back.Train crew member Samir Zitouni tried to use a frying pan to stop Williams, but was stabbed multiple times, the court was told.The bloody onslaught ended when the train stopped at Huntingdon and Williams was arrested.The trial, which is due to last six weeks, continues.