Man Accused of Airport PC Assault ‘Feared for Life’

Man accused of airport PC assault – At Liverpool Crown Court, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, are facing charges of unlawfully using force against a firearms officer at Manchester Airport. The duo is alleged to have launched a “high level of violence” on PC Zachary Marsden and his colleagues during an incident at Terminal 2’s car park pay station in July 2024. Amaaz testified that he believed he was about to die when his head was forced to the ground, describing the moment as a terrifying blur of confusion and panic.

Incident Details

The altercation began when police officers approached Amaaz after he was reported to have headbutted a customer in the arrivals hall. PC Marsden and PC Lydia Ward, alongside PC Ellie Cook, were attempting to arrest him. According to the prosecution, Amaaz resisted the arrest, and his brother Amaad intervened, leading to a physical confrontation. Amaaz claimed he was grabbed by the arm, then turned to realize he was facing a police officer. “I had no time to think,” he said, emphasizing the suddenness of the attack.

During his testimony, Amaaz recounted how he felt “threatened” by the officer’s actions. He described the officer’s hand as pressing over his head and neck, a position he believed would lead to suffocation. “I thought he was going to kill me,” he stated, adding that the force used seemed excessive. His barrister, Imran Khan KC, questioned him about his awareness of the situation, asking, “Did you know then why a police officer was there?” Amaaz replied, “No, I didn’t have a second to think because as soon as I looked over, I got pushed straight into the machine.”

Defensive Arguments

Amaaz and Amaad deny the assault, asserting that they were defending themselves from a perceived threat. The defense argued that the men did not realize the officers were female and that the rapid sequence of events left them unable to process details. “It was happening so fast I couldn’t see the little things,” Amaaz explained. He described hitting PC Lydia Ward after feeling a punch to his throat, which left him gasping. “I turned toward my right and struck out instinctively,” he said. “I thought I needed to protect myself from this person.”

Amaaz further claimed that he was unaware PC Cook had approached him with her hands raised. “I saw her run toward me, and I punched her until she was no longer a threat,” he stated. He insisted that he had mistaken PC Marsden for aiming a gun at his brother, not realizing it was a Taser. “I thought the officer was about to shoot him,” he said, adding that the Taser discharge left him unconscious in an instant. “I could see a boot coming straight toward my face. As soon as I felt it, everything shut down,” he recalled, describing the moment he lost consciousness.

The prosecution presented evidence that PC Marsden had been knocked to the ground during the struggle. Amaaz described the officer’s hand as “over my head and neck,” which he believed would lead to a fatal outcome. “I was just thinking, ‘Why is this guy using so much force?'” he said, highlighting his fear of being beaten to death. His barrister pressed him on the reasoning behind his fear, asking, “Why would you fear a police officer forcing your head to the ground?” Amaaz responded, “It’s not like these things haven’t happened before. I’ve heard stories about police abusing their powers and people dying.”

The trial has also revealed that Amaaz was previously convicted of assaulting two female officers last year. The court heard that PC Lydia Ward sustained a broken nose after being floored by a punch, while PC Ellie Cook was knocked over a baggage trolley by another blow. Amaaz argued that he had acted in self-defense, stating, “I hit PC Ward after feeling a punch to my throat. I didn’t know where it was going, but I felt like I needed to protect myself.”

Context and Testimony

Amaaz’s account of the incident paints a picture of chaos and fear. He claimed to have heard his brother’s voice shouting, “Easy, easy, easy,” as the police officers pressed their attack. “I remember looking over and just seeing him getting smashed in the face,” he said, expressing disbelief at the officers’ actions. “I was thinking, ‘What is wrong with these people? They are punching him in the face for no reason.'” His testimony underscores the intense emotions and quick decisions that occurred during the confrontation.

PC Marsden’s involvement in the incident is central to the prosecution’s case. The officer had reportedly fired his Taser at Amaaz after the brother had been thrown to the ground. Amaaz described the moment he was knocked unconscious, saying, “Everything shut down. I was unconscious in split seconds.” His barrister questioned whether Amaaz had attempted to rise, to which he replied, “That’s just wrong. I could hear loads of shouting and turned toward where it came from.” When asked about the Taser strike, Amaaz said, “I remember it pushing me downwards toward the floor. I think that’s what woke me back up.”

The case has sparked debate about the use of force by police during arrests. Amaaz’s claim of fearing for his life contrasts with the officers’ account of the situation. The prosecution argues that the brothers’ actions were premeditated, while the defense maintains they were reacting to an immediate threat. As the trial progresses, the jury will weigh these conflicting narratives to determine the men’s guilt or innocence.

Meanwhile, the ongoing trial has drawn attention to the broader context of police interactions and the public’s perception of such encounters. The incident at Manchester Airport has raised questions about the balance between law enforcement authority and individual rights. With the brothers denying the assault and citing their fear of death, the courtroom remains focused on the pivotal moments that led to the charges.

The trial continues as both sides present their arguments. The case is expected to hinge on the credibility of Amaaz’s testimony and the officers’ version of events. As the proceedings unfold, the jury will examine the evidence closely, including witness accounts and physical details of the altercation. The outcome could set a precedent for how such incidents are handled in the future, underscoring the importance of clear communication and proportionality in police actions.

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