Two brothers charged with assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport in July 2024 will not face a third trial after prosecutors failed to provide evidence. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were accused of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. Two separate juries at Liverpool Crown Court were unable to reach verdicts, leading Judge Flewitt to record not guilty verdicts.
The incident, captured on video, showed Marsden kicking one brother while he was on the ground, sparking online allegations of racial discrimination and police brutality. The brothers denied the charges, claiming they acted in lawful self-defence. Amaaz was convicted at the first trial of three counts of assault on other officers and remains in custody, while Amaad was acquitted.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC stated that a third trial would only be pursued in “exceptional circumstances” and that the case, though serious, did not meet that threshold. 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. The Attorney General's Office confirmed no proceedings were issued.
The altercation began when one brother headbutted a man who allegedly verbally abused their mother. Police arrived, and Amaaz became aggressive, allegedly punching three officers, including PC Ward, who suffered a broken nose. The incident ended with Amaad restrained and Amaaz tasered and kicked. Marsden, suspended after the incident, was cleared of wrongdoing by the Crown Prosecution Service in December 2024. An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct continues.
