“Bloodied but Brave: Police Chief Lauds Officers’ Courage in Manchester Airport Brawl, Thanks Public as 20-Year-Old Student Convicted of Assault”

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.
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• 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.