Two brothers accused of assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport in 2024 will not face a third trial after prosecutors failed to provide evidence. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were charged with assaulting PC Zachary Marsden during an incident in July 2024 that was captured on video.
The footage appeared to show 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. Two separate juries at Liverpool Crown Court were unable to reach verdicts on the assault charge, leading Judge Flewitt to record not guilty verdicts.
At the first trial, Amaaz was convicted of three counts of assault, including on two other officers, while Amaad was acquitted. The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue a third trial, stating that while the case was serious and attracted significant public interest, it did not meet the threshold of 'extreme gravity' required for a retrial.
The altercation began when one of the brothers headbutted and punched a man who had allegedly verbally abused their mother. When police arrived, Amaaz became aggressive and assaulted officers, with PC Ward suffering a broken nose. The brothers claimed self-defence, with Amaaz stating he feared for his life and did not realise two officers were women.
Marsden, who was suspended after the incident, maintained he used reasonable force and was trying to stop Amaaz grabbing his radio wire. The Independent Office for Police Conduct continues its investigation into the incident.
