Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for a brutal assault on an unarmed female police officer at Manchester Airport. The attack, which occurred on July 23, 2024, left PC Lydia Ward with facial bruising and lasting psychological trauma.
Details of the assault
The incident took place in the Terminal 2 car park paystation area after officers responded to reports that Amaaz had headbutted a member of the public at a Starbucks cafe in the airport. Three Greater Manchester Police officers—including PC Ward and armed officer PC Ellie Cook—attempted to detain Amaaz, but he resisted violently.
CCTV footage showed Amaaz punching PC Ward 10 times, leaving her bloodied and distraught. The attack was described by the Crown as involving a “high level of violence.” Widely shared mobile phone footage of the incident initially sparked protests, as it showed a young Asian male being kicked in the face by a male police officer. However, later leaked CCTV footage revealed that the officers had been attacked first.
Victim impact statements
During the sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on June 26, PC Ward read a statement directly to Amaaz: “I look at myself now and I can see the difference in my face compared to how it was before this happened. You did that to me. You changed my face. This is something that really upsets me. Again, I’ll ask you; did I deserve this? What was it that I did that was so wrong you felt you needed to attack me?”
She added: “You used me as a punch bag, but I will get back up and I will show you how strong I am. You deserve no more of my time.” PC Ward had to take a month off work and cancel a planned holiday. She said the attack has left her with a distrust of men and heightened anxiety.
PC Cook, who was also assaulted, told the court she has decided to give up her role as a firearms officer because of the incident. “This means my dream of becoming a close protection officer is on hold, and I may have to come to terms with the fact that it may not happen,” she said. “You have ripped that from me.”
Legal proceedings and outcome
Amaaz and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, were charged with assaulting PC Zachary Marsden, but juries at two trials failed to reach a verdict on that count. In May, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue a third trial. The brothers claimed they acted in lawful self-defence or defence of each other.
Judge sentencing Amaaz noted the “cowardly” nature of the attack on an unarmed officer. Amaaz showed no emotion as the sentence was delivered.
