In a recent court proceeding at Liverpool Crown Court, CCTV footage of a brawl at Manchester Airport was presented to the jury. This footage captured a chaotic incident that occurred on July 23, 2024, involving two brothers, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, aged 20, and Muhammad Amaad, aged 26, who have been charged in connection with the assault of police officers during an altercation at a Starbucks cafe located in Terminal 2 arrivals.
According to the allegations, Mohammed Amaaz initiated the conflict by reportedly headbutting a customer, leading to police intervention. Four police officers approached the two brothers, who were near a pay station in the terminal’s car park. The jury was shown various camera angles that vividly illustrated what the prosecutors described as a “high level of violence” directed at the officers during the escalation of the brawl.
As the evidence was presented, prosecutors detailed the sequence of events leading to the altercation. Mohammed Amaaz allegedly assaulted two police officers, causing actual bodily harm to PC Marsden and PC Ward, and also struck another officer, PC Cook. Furthermore, he is accused of having violently attacked Abdulkareem Ismaeil, a Starbucks customer. His brother, Muhammad Amaad, is similarly accused of causing harm to PC Marsden. Both defendants, residents of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, have denied all allegations against them.
The chaos intensified as the police attempted to control the situation. The prosecution claimed that Mr. Amaaz resisted arrest, resulting in physical confrontations where punches were thrown by both brothers. Junior counsel Adam Birkby highlighted that Mr. Amaaz allegedly landed multiple punches on the officers, with PC Ward being knocked to the ground as a result of a punch directed at her.
Footage from body-worn police cameras further illustrated the incident as jurors viewed the moments when the officers attempted to subdue the suspects. Evidence indicates that allegations against Mr. Amaaz include kicking and elbowing PC Marsden, alongside throwing a series of punches. The incidents prompted a use of force, with one officer discharging a Taser device in an attempt to regain control amid the ongoing violence.
PC Zachary Marsden, one of the officers involved, recounted his experiences during the trial. He emphasized his intention to bring the situation under control swiftly as he approached the pay station. However, he was met with resistance, escalating into a violent encounter where he feared for his firearm and his own safety. The officer described receiving powerful blows from multiple directions, with an urgent sense of vulnerability as he struggled to maintain control of the situation.
During his testimony, PC Marsden expressed his shock at the lack of assistance from bystanders, stating that no members of the public attempted to intervene or help during the assault. He noted that many onlookers merely recorded the incident with their phones, compounding his frustration and fear as he dealt with the physical threat from the Amaaz brothers.
The ongoing trial serves as a reminder of the increasingly dangerous situations police officers may encounter in their duties, especially in busy public spaces like airports. The altercation not only highlights issues of public safety but also raises questions about the support the police receive from the community in high-stress encounters. As the trial continues, the public eagerly awaits the verdicts that will emerge from this serious and complex case surrounding the events at Manchester Airport.
