Two brothers accused of assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport in July 2024 will not face a third trial after prosecutors decided not to pursue the case further. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were charged with assaulting PC Zachary Marsden, but two separate juries at Liverpool Crown Court failed to reach verdicts.
The incident, which was captured on video, showed one of the brothers on the ground being kicked in the face by Marsden, sparking online criticism and allegations of racial discrimination and police brutality. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said a third trial would only be pursued in “exceptional circumstances” and that while the case was serious, it was not of “extreme gravity”.
During the initial trial, the court heard that the altercation began when one of the brothers headbutted and punched a man who they claimed had verbally abused their mother, Shameem Akhtar. When officers arrived, Amaaz allegedly became aggressive and assaulted three police officers, including punching PC Lydia Ward, breaking her nose. The brothers maintained they acted in lawful self-defence.
Before the retrial, Judge Flewitt referred comments made by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to the Attorney General as “potentially a contempt of court” after Farage criticised the initial verdict. However, no contempt proceedings were issued. The Independent Office for Police Conduct continues its investigation into the incident, while PC Marsden, who was suspended, has had his suspension lifted after the CPS decided no officer would face charges.
