Anthony Williams, 33, has admitted a series of knife-related offences, including attacks in east London and on rail services travelling from the capital, but continues to deny 14 counts of attempted murder. His guilty pleas were entered at Cambridge Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of wounding with intent and two counts of attempting to wound with intent.
Williams is due to stand trial on Monday, October 26, after denying charges linked to the stabbing of multiple passengers aboard an LNER service travelling from Doncaster to London King's Cross on November 1 last year. He denies 10 attempted murder charges connected to that incident.
Admissions at Pre-Trial Hearing
At a pre-trial hearing on Monday, Williams also admitted 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. Further admissions included 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.
Contested Allegations Remain
However, a number of the most serious allegations remain contested. Williams denies the attempted murder of a man 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.
Williams remains in custody awaiting trial.
