Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson declared he 'stands absolutely with [his] officers' following news that prosecutors would not pursue another re-trial in the Manchester Airport brothers case. However, the senior officer stopped short of condemning the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decision against returning to court for a third time.
Background of the Case
Juries at two separate trials failed to reach verdicts on assault charges brought against brothers Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, relating to PC Zachary Marsden. A judge officially recorded not guilty verdicts in May. The CPS, one week afterwards, announced it would not pursue fresh proceedings.
Mr Amaad left court a free man. His brother Amaaz continues to be held in custody and is facing a prison term after being found guilty of headbutting a man within the terminal building and assaulting two female officers who accompanied PC Marsden to detain the pair, from Rochdale.
Details of the Incident
The brothers were recorded on CCTV footage delivering multiple strikes at PC Marsden during a now infamous confrontation in the pay station of the Terminal 2 car park in July 2024. They maintained throughout the proceedings they acted in self-defence. PC Marsden was filmed kicking Amaaz in the head after he had been brought down by a Taser stun gun. He may still face disciplinary action as the police watchdog continues its investigation.
Video footage of the kick was released publicly and sparked a string of protests. The Manchester Evening News subsequently obtained and published additional CCTV footage which appeared to show the officers being attacked moments prior to the kick.
Trial Outcomes
Jurors in the second trial stated they were unable to reach a unanimous decision after deliberating for 19 hours and 48 minutes, even after being directed that majority verdicts were acceptable. Prosecution counsel Paul Greaney KC later informed the court that the decision not to pursue a further trial had been made at the 'highest level' of the CPS. He stated that the law held there was a 'clear presumption' against a third trial unless there were 'exceptional circumstances' and when the case was of 'extreme gravity'.
Amaaz is due to be sentenced on June 26 at Liverpool Crown Court. He attacked PC Ellie Cook, who was also armed, and unarmed officer PC Lydia Ward, who sustained a broken nose after being punched in the face. Amaaz was filmed throwing 10 punches, two 'elbow strikes' and one kick. PC Marsden rejected defence claims that he had used 'unlawful force' and had been part of an 'out of control' group of officers.
Chief Constable's Response
The officer, whose glasses were knocked off during the incident, told jurors he feared his Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol would be taken from him, adding that he had acted 'with the utmost professionalism and bravery'. The Manchester Evening News understands that detectives were in support of a third trial.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: 'The CPS have their own criteria upon which to make those decisions. I think candidly, clearly, I hold a view, but I don't think it fair that I express that view in the sense of claiming to be disappointed or otherwise. I do recognise that there is a balance here. And in fairness, we have had two very expensive jury trials, and there is a public interest test, which, you know, the CPS have to take into account.'
'I want everybody who's assaulted our officers to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and generally speaking, that is what the CPS do on our behalf. And it's an important endeavour, because I have over 40 officers a week assaulted and it's so important that we support them in their realms. So, I stand absolutely with my officers. But there is a limit to my fairly, being able to lay criticism at the door of other agencies.'
He added: 'At the end of the day, we are servants of the court. We put evidence before the court in good faith, and juries decide. And this case, two juries failed to convict on one count, in respect of one offender. Other accounts, of course, were proven, and a series of assaults were prosecuted, successfully, and brought through to conviction, and, of course, matters of sentencing are now before the court. So one has to respect the outcome of jury verdicts. Of course, my officers work hard to bring the very best evidence before the courts, and we endeavour always to make sure that where people commit assaults, whether against the public, or against our officers, that we always seek to prosecute it.'
CPS Statement
The CPS released a statement saying: 'The law is clear that any further retrial in these circumstance would be highly exceptional. After careful consideration, we have concluded that it is not in the public interest to seek another trial.'
