Huntingdon Suspect Attacked Man Weeks Before Train Stabbings
Ricky Butcher, 36, needed 15 stitches after being slashed in the face by a man he believes is the Huntingdon train knifeman. The attack occurred randomly while he waited for a taxi home after a night out in Peterborough on September 27, according to the Daily Mail.
Two days after the incident, Cambridgeshire Police, the same force now detaining Anthony Williams, closed the case citing insufficient evidence. However, new witness statements convinced police that the attacker was likely the man held for the train rampage in Huntingdon, prompting a reinvestigation.
Details of the Attack
Mr. Butcher, an electrician, claims Williams lunged at him with a kitchen knife, aiming for his neck but instead cutting his lip.
“It’s absolute madness. The police closed my case so quickly without seemingly having a proper trawl through CCTV and making the relevant inquiries.”
“I think the police should have treated my case with much more importance and diligence – had they done so then there probably wouldn’t be people fighting for their lives in hospital.”
“I feel bad for all the other victims, who like me have trauma from this happening.”
Police Reinvestigation
Following witness reports, police reopened the investigation to determine the attacker’s identity with more scrutiny.
Summary
Ricky Butcher’s assault highlights concerns over early case closure by police prior to the Huntingdon train attack investigation.
Author’s summary: A taxi passenger severely injured shortly before the Huntingdon train stabbings speaks out on police oversight and the trauma caused by the violent attack.