Train passengers fled “in sheer terror” during a knife attack on nine passengers and a member of train crew on a London-bound LNER service, a court has heard.

Anthony Williams, 33, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday accused of 14 counts of attempted murder – 10 on the train and four others before he boarded the London-bound LNER service on November 1 last year. The train stopped at Huntingdon Station.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told jurors that Williams posed “a dangerous threat” to those he encountered on Friday October 31 and the following day.

He said: “Across the Halloween weekend last year, to the many people he encountered, the defendant Anthony Williams posed a dangerous threat, marauding through towns and cities, on streets and trains alike, armed with a knife.

placeholder image — The train at Huntingdon Station

“He stabbed many, seeking to end their lives with deadly intention, striking out at them when they were defenceless and in fear.”

Three people including a 14-year-old boy were stabbed in Peterborough on the evening of October 31, before Williams stabbed a 17-year-old at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London in the early hours of the following day, the court heard.

Later on the Saturday evening, he stabbed 10 people on the train in a five-minute attack.

Williams, who appeared at court via videolink, accepts that he carried out the attack but denies all 14 counts of attempted murder.

Earlier judge Mr Justice Calver told jurors they must decide whether he intended to kill the people he stabbed, as the prosecution claims.

Describing events on the train, Mr Paxton told the jury: “The defendant brought terror which resulted in them fleeing and some fighting for their lives.

“In the face of that threat and the defendant’s sheer brutality some stood tall to protect others trying to de-escalate his rampage, defending themselves and putting themselves in harm’s way to protect strangers.”

Some fled “in sheer terror”, locking themselves in toilets, while others tried to de-escalate the attack, the court heard.

One of the victims, 73-year-old David Presland, was attacked after he fell to the ground, and other passengers fled, but eventually “ran out of train” in their bid to escape.

“They were trapped on a moving train,” Mr Paxton said.

Some showed “extraordinary bravery” in trying to fend Williams off, grabbing frying pans or toasters to protect themselves, and asking Williams why he was doing what he was doing, he said.

judge Mr Justice Calver outlined the details of the case.

He told them that it concerns “a series of attacks involving a knife by the defendant on a number of individuals going about their every day lives at various locations in Peterborough and on a train between Peterborough and Huntingdon”.

Whether Williams carried out the attacks is not in question, the judge said, but the jury must consider whether he intended to kill those individuals when he carried out the attacks.

Williams, 33, who appeared at Cambridge Crown Court via videolink on Wednesday, denies 14 counts of attempted murder.

The trial continues.