What Happened
On July 23, 2024, at Manchester Airport:
- Mohammed Fahir Amaaz (20) headbutted a passenger, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at a Starbucks café, claiming racial abuse against his mother.
- Police officers approached Amaaz at a car park pay station to arrest him.
- Amaaz responded with 10 punches, elbow strikes, and a kick—breaking PC Lydia Ward’s nose and assaulting PC Ellie Cook.
- His brother, Muhammad Amaad (26), allegedly joined in, aiming six punches at firearms officer PC Zachary Marsden2.
- Viral Footage & Public Reaction
- A video showing PC Marsden kicking Amaaz in the head went viral, sparking outrage and protests.
- However, CCTV footage later revealed that officers were attacked seconds before, shifting public opinion dramatically.
Legal Proceedings & Verdic
- Amaaz was found guilty of:
- Assault causing actual bodily harm to PC Ward
- Assaulting PC Cook
- Assaulting Mr. Ismaeil
- The jury could not reach a verdict on whether either brother assaulted PC Marsden2.
- Prosecutors intend to retry both brothers on the unresolved charge of assaulting PC Marsden.
- No retrial date has been announced yet.
- Amaaz has been remanded in custody4.
Legal Arguments in Court
Prosecution
- Argued the brothers used “high levels of violence” against officers.
- CCTV showed Amaaz threw 10 punches; Amaad aimed six at PC Marsden.
- Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC urged jurors to trust the footage and dismissed claims of excessive force2.
- Defence
- Claimed the brothers acted in self-defence.
- Argued officers used “unlawful force”, grabbing Amaaz without identifying themselves.
- Amaaz said he feared the officer would “batter him to death”; Amaad believed he was under attack.
- Defence described PC Marsden as having the “red mist” and acting like a “bully with a badge”6.
Public & Political Impact
- Viral footage led to protests, calls to “defund the police,” and support from some political figures.
- Labour MPs who backed Amaaz faced backlash after full footage emerged.
- Leaked CCTV changed public sentiment, with many now supporting the officers.
- Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said officers face 44 assaults per week and deserve public respect4.
- Political Fallout
- Conservative MP Chris Philp criticized Labour’s Yvette Cooper for not defending the officers.
- The case reignited debates on police accountability, racial bias, and use of force.
Why This Matters
This case touches on:
- Police conduct and transparency
- Public trust in law enforcement
- Racial tensions and community relations
- Media influence on public perception
It’s a powerful example of how viral footage can shape narratives—and why full context is essential before judgment.
