Two brothers used a “high level of violence” in assaulting police officers at Manchester Airport, a jury has heard. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, are alleged to have attacked officers after police were called to an earlier incident at a Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2 on July 23 last year.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Amaaz delivered a headbutt and a punch to a member of the public in Starbucks. Prosecution barrister Paul Greaney KC said officers later traced the brothers at the terminal’s car park payment area. Three officers—Pc Zachary Marsden and Pc Ellie Cook, both armed, and unarmed Pc Lydia Ward—approached the defendants.
Mr Greaney told the court: “The officers attempted to move Mohammed Fahir Amaaz away from a payment machine in order to arrest him, but he resisted, and his brother Muhammad Amaad intervened. In the moments that followed, the first defendant also assaulted Pc Cook and then Pc Ward too, breaking her nose.” Amaaz is also accused of assaulting Pc Marsden and Pc Ward, causing actual bodily harm, and of assaulting Abdulkareem Ismaeil at Starbucks.
Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations. The court heard they had travelled to the airport with their young nephew to collect their mother, who was returning from Qatar. Mr Greaney said the mother had a disagreement on the flight with Mr Ismaeil, who was travelling with his wife and three children. After landing, the brothers confronted Mr Ismaeil in Starbucks, where Amaaz headbutted and punched him.
The prosecutor described the case as “not complicated”, noting that CCTV and body-worn camera footage would allow jurors to see the events. He said the defendants claim they acted in lawful self-defence, but the prosecution expects jurors to conclude their conduct was unlawful. The trial continues.
