Train Stabbing

BBC One and ITV1 reported on a court case concerning a knife attack on an LNER service from Doncaster to London King's Cross in November last year. The court heard that a train worker, named in the coverage as Samir Zituni by BBC One and Samir Zatouni by ITV1, confronted the attacker and used a frying pan to defend himself and passengers. He was stabbed multiple times and was described as having been in a life-threatening condition in intensive care. BBC One also reported punctured lungs, four blood transfusions and use of a ventilator. ITV1 referred to the accused as a man accused of trying to kill 10 people on board the train.

The worker's evidence, played as a video interview, included statements that he was terrorised, tried to hit the knife, did not want to let the attacker pass or give up until the train stopped, and asked the man to stop and offered help. BBC One reported a 999 call from Scott Blecher, who said he had been stabbed in the head and hid in a bike rack until the train stopped at Huntingdon. ITV1 reported evidence from passenger Michael Cawthorpe, who said he threw a large toaster at the attacker and told him to put the knife down. ITV1 also reported that the judge told jurors the question was not whether Anthony Williams carried out the attack but whether he intended to kill.

Anthony Williams, 33, denies multiple counts of attempted murder. BBC One reported that he denies 14 counts of attempted murder relating to the train stabbings and four other attacks in Peterborough and London. The channels gave different names for the court: BBC One reported Cambridge Crown Court, while ITV1 reported Cranebridge Crown Court.