The jury in the trial of two brothers accused of assaulting police officers at Manchester Airport has been sent out to consider its verdicts. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, are on trial at Liverpool Crown Court over the incident on July 23 last year.
Prosecutors allege that the brothers inflicted a 'high level of violence' on Greater Manchester Police officers. CCTV footage is said to show Amaaz throwing 10 punches, including one that knocked Pc Lydia Ward to the floor, and Amaad aiming six punches at firearms officer Pc Zachary Marsden. Amaaz is also accused of kicking Pc Marsden and striking Pc Ellie Cook with his elbow.
The incident began when officers approached Amaaz at a ticket machine following a report that a male matching his description had headbutted a customer at a Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2 arrivals. The brothers claim they acted in lawful self-defence, with Amaaz telling the court he feared a 'lunatic' officer would 'batter him to death'.
Mobile phone footage of a kick and stamp by Pc Marsden as Amaaz lay on the floor went viral on social media. The defence argued that officers used 'unlawful force' by grabbing Amaaz from behind without announcing themselves. The jury was sent home and will resume deliberations on Tuesday at 10:30am.
