A man accused of stabbing ten people on a London-bound train reportedly asked one victim, “Do you want to die?” before launching his attack, a court heard. Anthony Williams, 33, is charged with multiple counts related to a series of knife assaults culminating in the incident on an LNER service at Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, on the evening of November 1, 2025.

At Cambridge Crown Court, prosecutors described how Williams boarded the Doncaster-to-London train carrying a large kitchen knife and a bottle of tonic wine. Shortly after the journey began, he allegedly confronted passenger Stephen Crean, asking the chilling question before stabbing him repeatedly. Williams then moved through the carriage, attacking others in quick succession, creating “terror and fear on an unimaginable scale,” according to the prosecution.

Passengers were forced to take shelter in locked lavatories or hide under seats as others attempted to disarm the attacker. CCTV footage shown to the jury captured Crean struggling to wrestle the knife away from Williams. A train crew member, Samir Zitouni, intervened with a frying pan but was stabbed multiple times. Several passengers displayed “extraordinary bravery,” either by trying to stop Williams physically or by attempting to calm him down.

The train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon at 7:44 p.m., where police were called. The attack lasted approximately 15 minutes, officials said.

Prosecutors also outlined Williams’s actions in the 24 hours preceding the train attack. On October 31, he allegedly stabbed four individuals across Peterborough, including a 14-year-old boy on a footbridge near Henry Penn Walk and another man, Dawid Taborski, from whom Williams demanded, “Are you involved?” before removing a large knife from his rucksack. He also reportedly attempted to stab William Ogelby multiple times in a car park. In the early hours of November 1, Williams is said to have stabbed a 17-year-old at Pontoon Dock station in east London.

Williams has admitted to 14 charges of wounding with intent but denies 14 charges of attempted murder. The prosecution described him as “a dangerous threat” who sought “to end lives with deadly intention,” targeting victims who were defenceless and in fear.

Among those injured on the train were Scott Green, who tried to seize the knife while with his dog, and Kevin Deely, who sustained wounds to his scalp and midriff.

The trial remains ongoing, with the prosecution continuing to present evidence.