Man charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after horror knife attack on train
A 32-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the horror knife attack on a train bound for the UK capital has now been charged.
Anthony Williams, from Peterborough, was arrested at Huntingdon station following the mass stabbing on Saturday night (1 November).
He has now been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article, British Transport Police said.
Williams, a black British national, will appear at Peterborough Magistrates this morning (3 November). The actual bodily harm charge that the suspect is facing is related to an assault on a 'police officer in a custody suite' which took place after the train incident, the BBC reports.
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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.
"Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation."
Tracy Easton, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Direct, said there is 'sufficient evidence' to charge Williams and 'bring the case to trial'.
"We worked closely with British Transport Police to review a huge volume of evidence, including CCTV," Easton said. "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 cops rushed to Huntingdon station on Saturday evening after receiving reports of multiple stabbings on board a 6.25pm train service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.
Cambridgeshire Police were able to arrest two people within eight minutes of receiving the first 999 call.
Williams was taken into custody alongside a 35-year-old man, a British national of Caribbean descent, on suspicion of attempted murder. But last night (2 November), officials announced that Williams is now being treated as 'the only suspect' after the 35-year-old was released.
Cops said they confirmed that the other man was 'not involved' in the attack, which left ten people hospitalised.
Hertfordshire Police said in an update yesterday that 'there is nothing to suggest the incident at Huntingdon Station is terror-related'.
Officers are understood to be investigating all possible motives, including whether mental health was a factor.
Passengers have spoken of the horror which unfolded shortly after the train left Peterborough station, with one woman saying she felt 'very lucky' to be unharmed after begging the man to spare her life when he chased her.
Other passengers spoke of hiding in train toilets and the buffet car to protect themselves during the bloody rampage.
Five people remain in hospital, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said this morning, including a member of LNER rail staff who bravely confronted the attacker.
His actions have been hailed as 'nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people's lives'. He remains in a critical but stable condition.
A major incident was declared by the BTP when the train came to a stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, after passengers pulled the emergency alarms.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to make a statement about the attack in the House of Commons this afternoon.
BTP Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said earlier: "This is a shocking incident and first and foremost my thoughts are with those who have been injured this evening and their families.
“We’re conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further.
"At this early stage, it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.
“Our response is ongoing at the station and will be for some time. Cordons are in place and trains are not currently running through the area, and there are also some road closures.
“I thank the public for their patience and their cooperation this evening, which has already greatly assisted our policing response."
Olivia Burke