Man accused over London-bound train stabbings admits string of knife attacks

A man accused of carrying out a mass stabbing on a London-bound train has admitted a series of knife-related offences, including attacks in east London and on rail services travelling from the capital.

Anthony Williams, 33, pleaded guilty at Cambridge Crown Court to 12 counts of wounding with intent and two counts of attempting to wound with intent.

The case centres on the stabbing of multiple passengers aboard an LNER service travelling from Doncaster to London King's Cross on November 1 last year. Williams denies 10 attempted murder charges linked to that incident.

At a pre-trial hearing on Monday, Williams also admitted a series of offences said to have taken place in the hours leading up to the alleged train rampage.

The court heard he pleaded guilty to possessing a knife at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London during the early hours of November 1. He also admitted a common assault on a Govia Thameslink train travelling from St Pancras towards Biggleswade later the same day.

Williams further admitted affray at a barbershop in Peterborough, stealing knives from an Asda store in Stevenage, carrying bladed articles in public and on a train, and assaulting a police officer while in custody.

But a number of the most serious allegations remain contested.

He denies the attempted murder of a man who was allegedly attacked with a knife at Pontoon Dock DLR station, as well as charges relating to three alleged victims in Peterborough on October 31.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told the court the guilty pleas did not resolve the indictment and that a trial would still be required.

The hearing comes months after Williams pleaded not guilty to a string of charges connected to the incidents, including the alleged mass stabbing aboard the LNER train travelling towards London.