Two brothers from Rochdale will not face a third trial for allegedly assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport in July 2024, after prosecutors failed to provide evidence for a retrial. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were accused of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden, causing actual bodily harm.
The case attracted widespread attention after a video showed one of the brothers on the ground being kicked in the face by Marsden, sparking allegations of racial discrimination and police brutality. Two separate juries at Liverpool Crown Court were unable to reach verdicts on the assault charge, leading Judge Nicholas Flewitt to direct that not guilty verdicts be recorded.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC stated that a third trial would only be pursued in 'exceptional circumstances' and that while the charge was serious, it could not be described as one of 'extreme gravity'. Amaaz remains in custody after being convicted at the first trial of three counts of assault, including assaults on two other officers. Amaad was found not guilty at the same trial.
The altercation began when one of the brothers headbutted and punched a man who allegedly verbally abused their mother, Shameem Akhtar. Police arrived and the brothers became aggressive, with Amaaz allegedly punching three officers, breaking PC Lydia Ward's nose. The incident ended with Amaad being restrained and Amaaz being tasered and kicked by Marsden.
Marsden, who was suspended after the incident, maintained he used reasonable force and did not intend to stamp on Amaaz. The Crown Prosecution Service decided in December 2024 that no officer would face charges, and Marsden's suspension was lifted. An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct continues.
Before the retrial, Judge Flewitt referred comments by Nigel Farage to the Attorney General as potentially contempt of court, after Farage criticised the initial verdict. However, the judge concluded the comments would not affect trial fairness, and no contempt proceedings were issued.
