By Hannah Clarke A barking dog’s timely intervention may have been the difference between life and death for one train passenger during a harrowing attack that left 10 people stabbed, a court has heard. The incident, which unfolded on an LNER service bound for London in November last year, has revealed a mix of terror, bravery, and unexpected heroism as passengers fought for survival against a man prosecutors say targeted them with cold calculation. At Cambridge Crown Court, testimonies painted a chilling picture of chaos and courage, with one victim describing the attacker’s “glee” and another crediting their pet’s bark for their escape.
A Dog’s Bark That Turned the Tide The attack began around 7.29pm when the train departed Peterborough, only to stall at Huntingdon station. It was there, amid growing panic, that Scott Green realised something was terribly wrong. “I felt a jab to my left side, then I saw a knife,” he recounted to the jury, his voice steady despite recounting the trauma. As the attacker—later identified as Anthony Williams—advanced, Green’s instinct was clear: “I’ve got to get the knife.” But his attempt to confront the assailant was cut short by searing pain and the sudden, decisive bark of his dog, Poppy. “He did a runner and the last I saw was him running down the aisle,” Green said, crediting Poppy’s barking with startling Williams away.
Prosecutors highlighted that Williams had previously been “bitten by a dog” in an unrelated incident, suggesting the attacker’s flight was no coincidence. Green and his dog scrambled to safety, aided by a fellow passenger who ushered them into a toilet. The court was shown CCTV footage of the moment Williams brandished his weapon, his demeanor described by one witness as “loving every single moment” of the violence. “I saw his eyes expand with pleasure,” said Raza Aslam, who tried to defend himself with a frying pan, only to be stabbed in the hand. “He had the greatest delight on his face.”
Victims Describe Horror and Heroism The court heard harrowing accounts of passengers caught in Williams’ path. Stephen Crean, a Nottingham Forest supporter returning from a match, locked himself in a toilet until police knocked on the door hours later. His testimony revealed a chilling exchange: “Do you want to die?” Williams had hissed, a question Crean would “never forget.” Another victim, 73-year-old David Presland, recounted his own brush with mortality. “I thought I was going to die,” he said, describing how he fell while fleeing before being stabbed multiple times. A stranger named Kevin Deely, also stabbed, helped him to safety.
Samir Zitouni, a train employee, threw objects at Williams in a desperate bid to protect others, according to prosecutors. His actions, they argued, were instrumental in saving lives. Yet the most striking testimony came from Scott Bletcher, who was stabbed in the head, chest, and forearm while seated by the window. “I don’t think I’m going to make it,” he told the court, his voice breaking. Bletcher managed to call emergency services and hide in a bike rack until the train stopped, his injuries severe but not fatal.
Courtroom Testimonies Reveal a Trail of Violence Williams, 33, denies 14 counts of attempted murder, including attacks on three individuals in Peterborough the previous evening and a 17-year-old boy at London’s Pontoon Dock DLR station. His defence team argues he acted alone, driven by a desire to “cause harm” but not necessarily to kill. The prosecution paints a different picture: a calculated attacker who targeted vulnerable passengers, exploiting the confined space of the train to inflict maximum fear.
The trial, which continues, has also exposed the resilience of those involved. “In this storm of violence, and even when gripped by fear, many there on the train helped others,” prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said. One passenger reportedly shielded others with their body, while another organised evacuations. The court was reminded of the human element in crisis, where ordinary people became extraordinary in seconds of terror.
Why it Matters This case underscores the fragility of public safety and the profound impact of individual acts of courage. While Williams faces charges that could define his future, the victims’ stories highlight a deeper truth: in moments of unimaginable danger, ordinary people rise to protect one another. The trial also serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust train security measures and the psychological toll such attacks exact on communities. As the legal process unfolds, the survivors’ resilience—bolstered by a barking dog, a frying pan, and sheer determination—offers a glimmer of hope amid the horror. Their voices, captured in court, will shape not just justice but the collective memory of a night that should never have happened.
