logo
I had to defend myself, man accused of police officer assault at airport says

I had to defend myself, man accused of police officer assault at airport says

Yahoo6 days ago
The brother of a man accused of assaulting three police officers at Manchester Airport has told a jury he struck out himself after he was 'put in a situation where I had to defend myself'.
Muhammad Amaad, 26, and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, are alleged to have used a 'high level of violence' against Pc Zachary Marsden, Pc Lydia Ward and Pc Ellie Cook after they tried to arrest the younger brother.
The Greater Manchester Police officers entered the Terminal 2 car park paystation after reports that a male fitting Amaaz's description had headbutted a member of the public inside the airport just minutes before on July 23 last year.
Giving evidence on Monday at Liverpool Crown Court, Amaad said: 'They come in and grab Fahir straight away. They started pushing him forward into the ticket machine.
'I didn't understand the need for the aggression.'
He told his barrister Chloe Gardner that nothing was said by any of the officers and that he tried to 'de-escalate the situation' by saying 'easy, easy … no, no, no'.
Ms Gardner said: 'Were you trying to be provocative or make things worse?'
Amaad said: 'No, I was trying to help, if anything.'
Ms Gardner said: 'As far as you could see, did you see any reason why they grabbed hold of him?'
'No,' said Amaad.
He said he then saw a male officer, Pc Marsden, grab his younger brother's neck.
Amaad said: 'I didn't know where his other hand was. I thought both his hands might be around his neck and he was choking him.
'So, I stepped around and I just placed my hand under the officer's arm.'
He denied he pushed Pc Marsden or tried to grab the officer's throat.
Amaad said: 'Next, all I can remember is I got a bang in the face. My eyes sort of shut and I put my hands up and thought 'what was that?'
'Then I just remember 'bang, bang, bang'. It caught me by surprise, I was stunned.
'We just sort of fell over on to a chair and I am feeling punches, holding and grabbing, and I had to defend myself during that time.'
Pc Marsden went on to fire his Taser at him, the court heard, and he later sat down with his hands on his head after he saw the officer's firearm.
Amaad told the court: 'I just felt to myself 'I'm not dying today'. I have been punched, I have been tasered, I am not going to die today.'
Ms Gardner said: 'Why did you strike Pc Marsden at the seated area?'
Amaad said: 'Because it was at that point I was trying to make him stop and defend myself. I was put in a situation where I had to defend myself'.
Earlier, a total of 20 character references for Amaaz were read out by his barrister Imran Khan KC including many citing the defendant's charity work in the local community.
Among the testimonials were one from his elder brother, Mohammed Abid, 28, a serving officer with Greater Manchester Police since 2020.
He said his youngest brother, 'the baby of the family', looked up to him as a role model and that Fahir had never previously had any interactions with the police or the criminal justice system.
He said: 'He lives a clean, honest lifestyle. His dedication to his academic goals and personal development is something I deeply admire.
'Our family has strong moral values instilled in us by our parents at an early age.
'Mohammed Fahir Amaaz is a kind, respectful, upstanding young man with a bright future ahead.'
Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden and Pc Ward, causing them actual bodily harm.
He is also accused of the assault of emergency worker Pc Cook, and the earlier assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at a Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals.
Amaad, a former assistant manager at KFC, is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm.
Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Justice Secretary ‘determined to keep prison staff safe' as Tasers trial starts
Justice Secretary ‘determined to keep prison staff safe' as Tasers trial starts

Yahoo

time2 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Justice Secretary ‘determined to keep prison staff safe' as Tasers trial starts

Caution: Loud explosion sounds and flashing images The Justice Secretary has said she is 'determined to keep prison staff safe' as a trial looking into the use of Tasers in prisons is launched. Specialist officers from the Operational Response and Resilience Unit based in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, and Doncaster, South Yorkshire, will be the first to become equipped with Tasers from Monday, as part of Government plans to clamp down on record levels of violence against prison staff.

Michigan Walmart stabbing spree suspect identified as police seek terrorism, assault charges for rampage
Michigan Walmart stabbing spree suspect identified as police seek terrorism, assault charges for rampage

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Michigan Walmart stabbing spree suspect identified as police seek terrorism, assault charges for rampage

Police on Sunday identified the 42-year-old man accused of wounding 11 people in a random stabbing spree at a Walmart in Michigan. Authorities identified the suspect as Bradford James Gille, of Afton, Michigan, on Sunday afternoon. Police are seeking to file terrorism charges and 11 charges of assault with intent to murder against Gille. Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea noted that Gille has a history of prior assault incidents as well as controlled substance violations. Shea added that a motive for the stabbing was not yet known. Munson Healthcare, northern Michigan's largest healthcare system, said seven victims were in fair condition and four were in serious condition. Victims ranged in age from 29 to 84-years-old. One Walmart employee was injured in the attack, police said. Knife Attack At Massive Portland Rave Leaves Four Teenagers Wounded "Over the past 12 hours, we've seen encouraging signs of recovery among our patients," the hospital said in an update. Read On The Fox News App The statement praised the hospital's team of physicians, surgeons, nurses, clinicians and support staff who have focused on treating the victims. "Their unwavering commitment and compassion are a testament to the strength and resilience of our healthcare community," it said. Shea previously said a 42-year-old man, acting alone, entered the Traverse City store and used a folding knife to stab nearly a dozen people. The suspect was taken into custody without injury within minutes. Citizens in Walmart also helped apprehend the man and treat victims. Armed Gunman Shot Dead After Opening Fire At Sunday Church Service Tiffany DeFell, 36, who lives in Honor, about 25 miles from Traverse City, told the Associated Press that she witnessed the chaos unfold from the store's parking lot. "It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out," she said. "This is something you see out of the movies. It's not what you expect to see where you're living." FBI agents have responded to provide support, Deputy Director Dan Bongino wrote on social media. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Walmart spokesperson Joe Pennington said that "violence like this is unacceptable." "Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we're thankful for the swift action of first responders," Pennington wrote in a statement. "We'll continue working closely with law enforcement during their investigation." Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this article source: Michigan Walmart stabbing spree suspect identified as police seek terrorism, assault charges for rampage

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store