Police Knew Huntingdon Train Suspect Had Schizophrenia, Jury Told

CAMBRIDGE, England - Police officers who arrested Anthony Williams, the man accused of attempting to murder 10 people on a London-bound train, were aware he had schizophrenia, a court has heard. The train made an emergency stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on November 1 last year.

Arrest and Transport

PC Caitlin Brown, who helped transport Williams to the hospital and then to the police station, testified that he 'appeared to be talking to himself' and mentioned the devil. Williams, 33, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder, including four related to earlier attacks in Peterborough and London.

Jurors were shown footage of Williams' arrest in the car park of Huntingdon railway station. The court heard that a Taser and a baton gun, which fires less lethal projectiles, were used against him. In a statement read to the court, the arresting officer said Williams had said something like 'kill me, kill me'.

PC Matt Panks, another officer involved in transporting Williams, described him as 'acting strangely, appeared completely unphased by what had occurred... he was rocking and laughing'. Panks also heard Williams ask, 'Do you reckon it was worth it?' before reminding him he was under caution.

Custody and Mental Health

Sgt James Cox, the custody sergeant at Parkside police station in Cambridge, testified that Williams was 'treated as a vulnerable adult' and was authorized to be supported by an appropriate adult. Williams had officers constantly watching him.

Under cross-examination by Gillian Jones KC, representing Williams, Sgt Cox confirmed that it was reported to him that Williams suffers from psychosis and took medication. Cox said his assessment was that Williams 'didn't appear to be intoxicated' and that escorting officers informed him Williams had schizophrenia. The court heard that Williams was deemed unfit to be interviewed.

Jones read from a note by a healthcare worker in the custody log, which stated that Williams 'appeared to be responding to voices'. When asked if he was hearing voices, Williams laughed and agreed, and when asked what the voices were saying, he smiled and said 'lots of things'.

Jurors also saw CCTV footage of Williams punching an officer in the face in the early hours of November 2. He was observed 'climbing on his toilet several times and stroking the air vent'. The following afternoon, a forensic psychiatrist noted that Williams was exhibiting 'active psychotic symptoms'. The court heard that Williams was never interviewed about the allegations.

Other Charges

In addition to the train attack, prosecutors allege that on October 31, Williams tried to kill three people in Peterborough. He is also charged with attempting to murder a teenager on a DLR train in east London in the early hours of November 1.

The court has been told that whether Williams carried out the attacks is not in question; jurors must decide whether he intended to kill.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.