CCTV footage played in court depicts a train staff member using a frying pan to confront a man accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers on a train. The incident occurred on a Doncaster to King's Cross train, which made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon railway station.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC described Samir Zitouni, the staff member, as displaying "sheer courage and bravery in seeking to save lives and defend others." Jurors at Cambridge Crown Court were shown the footage of Zitouni confronting Anthony Williams, the defendant, on November 1 of the previous year.
Williams, 33, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder, which include incidents in Peterborough and London on the day prior to the train attack. On the second day of the trial, Paxton detailed how passengers "stood tall against the defendant's onslaught."
Paxton outlined that the attack on Zitouni was "prolonged, persistent and brutal." Despite being left in a life-threatening condition, Zitouni told the defendant, "we love you, we can help you." Later CCTV footage showed passengers fleeing the train, with Zitouni, in a "blood-soaked shirt," appearing to be among the last to leave. He collapsed between the train and the platform. The court heard that Zitouni suffered punctured lungs, required four blood transfusions, and chest drains, and needed the assistance of a ventilator.
The court was also informed of an attack on 73-year-old David Presland, who was stabbed in the back while on his hands and knees. Presland stated he was assisted by someone known to him as Kevin, believed to be Kevin Deely, another individual Williams is accused of attempting to murder.
Paxton told the court that the entire sequence of events on the train lasted approximately five minutes, during which 10 men were allegedly stabbed by Williams. In addition to the 10 individuals on the train, Williams is accused of attempting to murder a 14-year-old boy and Dawid Taborski on a footbridge in Peterborough on October 31, and William Ogelby at the Railworld car park shortly after.
Jurors also heard about Scott Green, who was travelling with his dog, Poppy. Paxton stated that Green believed he was going to die when the defendant allegedly attempted to stab him for a third time. It was suggested that Poppy the dog may have caused the defendant to flee, as he had previously been bitten by a dog in an unrelated incident.
The trial continues.