Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said he 'stands absolutely with [his] officers' after it emerged prosecutors would not seek another re-trial in the Manchester Airport brothers case. However, the top cop declined to criticise the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decision not to go back to court a third time.
Jury Deadlocks in Two Trials
Juries in two separate trials could not reach verdicts on assault charges siblings Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, faced in relation to PC Zachary Marsden. A judge formally entered not guilty verdicts in May. The CPS, a week later, said it would not seek fresh proceedings. Mr Amaad walked from court a free man. His brother Amaaz remains in custody and faces a prison sentence after he was convicted of headbutting a man inside the terminal building and assaulting two female officers who went with PC Marsden to arrest the pair, from Rochdale.
Confrontation at Terminal 2 Car Park
The brothers were captured on CCTV footage throwing a series of blows at PC Marsden during a now notorious confrontation in the pay station of the Terminal 2 car park in July 2024. They insisted throughout the case they acted in self-defence. PC Marsden was captured kicking Amaaz in the head after he had been felled by a Taser stun gun. He could still face disciplinary action as the police watchdog continues to investigate.
Footage of the kick was made public and prompted a series of protests. The Manchester Evening News later obtained and published further CCTV footage which appeared to show the police officers coming under attack moments before the kick. Jurors in the second trial said they could not agree on verdicts after deliberating for 19 hours and 48 minutes and after being told they could reach majority verdicts.
CPS Decision Not to Seek Third Trial
Prosecution counsel later Paul Greaney KC told the court the decision to not pursue another trial had been taken at the 'highest level' of the CPS. He said the law stated there was a 'clear presumption' against a third trial unless there were 'exceptional circumstances' and when the case was of 'extreme gravity'.
Amaaz will be sentenced on June 26 at Liverpool Crown Court. He attacked PC Ellie Cook, who also armed, and an unarmed cop PC Lydia Ward, who suffered a broken nose after she was punched in the face. Amaaz was captured throwing 10 punches, two 'elbow strikes' and one kick. PC Marsden denied defence suggestions he had used 'unlawful force' and was part of an 'out of control' team of cops. The officer, whose glasses were knocked off, told jurors he feared his Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol would be removed and he said he had acted 'with the utmost professionalism and bravery'.
Chief Constable's Response
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.' He added: '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.'
Respecting Jury Verdicts
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.'
The CPS said in a statement: '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.'
