Jury shown CCTV footage of alleged assault on police at Manchester Airport
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, are said to have struck out after police were called to respond to an incident at the Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2 arrivals on July 23 last year, when Amaaz is said to have headbutted a customer.
Minutes later, three officers – Pc Zachary Marsden and Pc Ellie Cook, who were both armed, and unarmed Pc Lydia Ward – approached the defendants at the paystation in T2's car park.
On Monday, a jury at Liverpool Crown Court watched airport camera footage from opposite angles which captured what the Crown say was a 'high level of violence' used by the defendants towards the officers.
The prosecution say Amaaz resisted as police tried to move him away from a payment machine to arrest him, and then Amaad intervened.
Junior counsel Adam Birkby suggested that Amaaz threw 10 punches, which included one to the face of Pc Ward that knocked her to the floor, and that Amaad aimed six punches at firearms officer Pc Marsden.
Amaaz is also said to have kicked Pc Marsden and twice struck firearms officer Pc Cook with his elbow.
He is said to have punched Pc Marsden from behind and then had hold of him before Pc Cook discharged her Taser device.
Amaaz had his arm around Pc Marsden's neck as both fell to the floor, Mr Birkby said, before the officer got to his feet.
Mr Birkby went on: 'Mr Amaaz, while prone, lifts his head towards the officers. Pc Marsden kicks Mr Amaaz around the head area.
'Pc Marsden stamps his foot towards the crown of Mr Amaaz's head area but doesn't appear to connect with Mr Amaaz.'
Footage from the body-worn cameras of the three officers was also played to the jury.
Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden and Pc Ward, causing them actual bodily harm.
He is also accused of the assault of Pc Cook and the earlier assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at Starbucks.
Amaad, 26, is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm.
Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations.
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The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Two men who cut down Sycamore Gap tree jailed for more than four years
The two men who felled the tree at Sycamore Gap have each been jailed for four years and three months. Former friends Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage to the much-loved tree, which had stood for more than 100 years in a fold in the Northumberland landscape. They were also convicted of criminal damage to Hadrian's Wall, caused when the sycamore fell on the ancient monument in September 2023. Mrs Justice Lambert sentenced the pair, who have been held in custody following their trial in May, at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday. At trial, Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, told jurors the pair had engaged in a 'moronic mission' to cut down the landmark, travelling for more than 40 minutes from their homes in Cumbria, then carrying their equipment across pitch black moorland during a storm back in September 2023. The judge said she was sure Adam Carruthers felled the tree and Daniel Graham drove them to the scene and filmed it and that both were equally responsible for the criminal damage. They took a wedge from the tree as a trophy that has never been recovered and revelled in the media coverage as news of the vandalism caused national and international headlines. Mr Wright told the sentencing hearing that since the trial both defendants have now admitted they 'went on the mission' but denied intending for the tree to be cut down, either saying they were intoxicated or that they 'didn't believe it would happen until it did'. He said: 'The prosecution rejects these late admissions… The court can be sure they were sober and prepared to do what they did.' Mr Wright told the court: 'This was an expedition which required significant planning in terms of taking a vehicle, driving for about 40 minutes to a car park, taking with them appropriate specialist equipment, carrying the equipment for about 20 minutes' walk in each direction. 'The felling was carried out in a deliberate, professional way.' He said one of the aggravating factors was the site's heritage status and the defendants' attempts to avoid detection. Mr Wright said they knew other people, including a young boy, had been arrested in connection with the offence and were 'closely following (the investigation) when they knew they were responsible'. Andrew Poad, a National Trust manager, gave a victim impact statement which was read out by Rebecca Brown, prosecution junior counsel. He said: 'This iconic tree can never be replaced. 'Whilst the National Trust has cared for it on behalf of the nation, it belonged to the people. It was totemic.' Mr Poad added: 'An overwhelming sense of loss and confusion was felt across the world. 'The question was why anyone would do this to such a beautiful tree in such a special place. 'It was beyond comprehension.' Mr Poad said an email address set up within days of the felling for people to share thoughts received 600 responses in a month. One said: 'My husband proposed to me at Sycamore Gap under its leafy shelter. A few years ago after lockdown we took our children to see and walk the same section of the wall. 'I'm so glad we got to share such a beautiful and special spot with them before it was gone.' The court was shown pictures of the new Sycamore Gap Celebration Room at The Sill site in Northumberland, and some comments left by people on a board and in the visitors' book. One said: 'Nature at its best over 300 years, humanity at its worst over one night.' Andrew Gurney, for Adam Carruthers, said his client had finally offered a motive for chopping down the tree and 'wishes to cleanse his conscience of what he has done'. He said: ' People want to know 'Why? Why did you conduct this mindless act?' 'Unfortunately, it is no more than drunken stupidity. 'He felled that tree and it is something he will regret for the rest of his life. There's no better explanation than that.' Chris Knox, defending Graham, said: 'He is a troubled man who has had very real difficulties in his life, which have not all been of his own making.' Mr Knox said Graham, a groundworker, had set up a 'proper business which paid tax and did all the appropriate things'. His home, and the business he operated from it, were attacked after he was remanded in custody, including having windows broken, the barrister said. The tree was a symbol of Northumberland, was the site of countless family visits and featured in the Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Its destruction, filmed on a mobile phone, took less than three minutes. The maximum sentence for criminal damage is 10 years and aggravating factors include whether it was done to a heritage or cultural asset and evidence of wider impact on the community. The defendants were once close, working and socialising together, but have fallen out since their arrests and each blamed the other. Graham's Range Rover was picked up on automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras between Carlisle and Sycamore Gap at night on September 27 2023, and returning early the next morning. His mobile was traced to phone masts making the same journey. When police arrested the pair and searched Graham's phone, they found a two minute and 41 second video which showed the sycamore being cut down at 12.30am on September 28, and had been sent to Carruthers. Messages and voice notes between Graham and Carruthers the next day showed them talking about the story going 'wild' and 'viral'. Graham claimed Carruthers had a fascination with the sycamore, saying he had described it as 'the most famous tree in the world' and spoken of wanting to cut it down, even keeping a piece of string in his workshop that he had used to measure its circumference. Carruthers denied this and told the court he could not understand the outcry over the story, saying it was 'just a tree'. Detective Inspector Calum Meikle, who led the investigation, said police still did not know why the pair felled the tree. He said: 'That is possibly the element of this entire case that is most frustrating to everybody, and it potentially is the one question that will never be truly known.' The National Trust, which owned the tree, said it had received thousands of messages from well-wishers after the tree was attacked. It has grown seedlings from the original sycamore which will be distributed to good causes around the country. A spokesperson said: 'The Sycamore Gap tree was iconic and represented thousands of cherished trees across the country that benefit people, nature, and climate. 'We remain committed to working with partners to secure stronger protections for these irreplaceable natural treasures.' A spokesperson for Northumberland National Park Authority said: 'Whilst today marks the end of the judicial process, work alongside our partners will continue, as we focus on reflecting public feeling about the tree and its cultural significance, as well as doing more for nature for the benefit of us all.'
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Timeline: How the Sycamore Gap tree felling that shocked the nation unfolded as culprits jailed
The two men who felled the tree at Sycamore Gap have each been jailed for four years and three months. Former friends Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage to the much-loved tree, which had stood for more than 100 years in a fold in the landscape. They were also convicted of criminal damage to Hadrian's Wall, caused when the sycamore fell on the ancient monument. At trial, Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, told jurors the pair had engaged in a 'moronic mission' to cut down the landmark, travelling for more than 40 minutes from their homes in Cumbria, then carrying their equipment across pitch black moorland during a storm back in September 2023. Here is a timeline of the events leading up to the felling of the tree: Wednesday 27 September 2023 10.02am – Graham sends a message to Carruthers saying: 'Big storm tonight, we might get onto storm damage, get saws warmed up'. 5.20pm – Walker takes a picture of the Sycamore Gap tree, still standing. 10.23pm – Carruthers' phone rings Graham's phone for one minute and 18 seconds. Prosecutors say this is the last contact between them because after this, they were travelling together to Sycamore Gap. 11.35-11.38pm – Graham's phone was picked up at cell sites on the A689 between Carlisle and Brampton. 11.37pm – Graham's Range Rover captured by an ANPR camera at Brampton. 11.41pm – Graham's phone 'detaches' from the network. Prosecutors say it was deliberately disconnected. 11.55pm – CCTV camera at the Twice Brewed Inn captures vehicle headlights travelling up and then making a left-hand turn towards the Steel Rigg Car Park, used by visitors to Sycamore Gap. Thursday 28 September 2023 12.32am – A video is made on Graham's phone showing the sound of a chainsaw, followed by the sound of a tree falling. 12.34am – Photograph taken on Graham's iPhone, which prosecutors say shows the outline of the felled tree. 12.58am – CCTV camera at the Twice Brewed Inn shows vehicle headlights again, this time going the opposite way. 1.18am – Graham's Range Rover captured by ANPR camera at Brampton again, this time travelling west back towards Carlisle. 1.26am – Range Rover captured on ANPR camera. Three minutes later Carruthers' partner sends him a video of a child being bottle fed. He replies: 'I've got a better video than that.' Eight minutes later, Graham's phone sends the video of the tree being felled to Carruthers' phone. 1.28am – Graham's phone reconnects to the network. 2am – Photographs and two short videos taken on Graham's mobile phone, at his home, show a piece of wood, next to a chainsaw, in the boot of his Range Rover. 9.46am – Police receive a report that the tree has been damaged. The investigation begins. 10.20am – Carruthers sends Graham an image of Facebook comments, with one circled that says: 'Judging by the quality of the cut and size of tree I would say whoever it was has knowledge of how to fell large trees.' They discuss another comment from a man called Kevin Hartness saying: 'Some weak people that walk this earth disgusting behaviour.' Carruthers sends another voice note to Graham saying: 'I'd like to see Kevin Hartness launch an operation like we did last night hmm I don't think he's got the minerals.' 7.02pm – Graham sends another voice note to Carruthers saying: 'It's on f****** Sky News as we speak.' Prosecutors say this is one of numerous messages between the pair that day 'revelling' in what they had done. Tuesday 31 October 2023 Graham and Carruthers were arrested and interviewed. Police find two chainsaws, a chainsaw blade and a cover at Graham's house. Friday 3 November 2023 Graham and Carruthers were arrested and interviewed again. Carruthers' property is searched, and a chainsaw is found. Tuesday 30 April 2024 Graham and Carruthers are charged with criminal damage. They both later pleaded not guilty. 28 April 2025 The trial begins at Newcastle Crown Court. During the trial, prosecutors could not be sure which of the pair cut down the tree, but the jury was told that both men were jointly responsible for the 'mindless vandalism '. A video was also taken of the destruction by one of the two men, the court was told, and a wedge of the tree was taken away as a 'trophy'. The pair's once-close friendship fell apart as the police investigation closed in on them. Graham claimed during his evidence that Carruthers had a fascination with the sycamore, saying he had described it as 'the most famous tree in the world' and spoken of wanting to cut it down, even keeping a piece of string in his workshop that he had used to measure the circumference. Carruthers, despite being blamed by his friend, always claimed he knew nothing about who chopped the tree down and told the court he could not understand the outcry over the story, saying it was 'just a tree'. Friday 9 May 2025 Graham and Carruthers were found guilty of chopping down the Sycamore Gap tree in an act of 'deliberate and mindless criminal damage'. There was no visible reaction from either in the dock as the jury returned after just over five hours to convict them of causing £622,191 of criminal damage to the tree and £1,144 of damage to the wall. Tuesday 15 July Graham and Carruthers were each sentenced to four years and three months' imprisonment. During her sentencing remarks, Mrs Justice Lambert said she could now be sure that Carruthers cut the Sycamore Gap tree down while Graham filmed him, after admissions they had both made in pre-sentence reports. She told the defendants: 'At the trial in May, neither of you accepted any involvement. 'In recent interviews with the Probation Service, although seeking to minimise your culpability, you admitted being present and involved. 'I can now be sure you, Adam Carruthers, were the person who felled the tree, and you, Daniel Graham, assisted and encouraged him by driving there and back and not least by filming it on your phone.'
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Vandals who cut down Sycamore Gap tree sentenced in England to more than 4 years in prison
The vandals who cut down England's beloved Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison for causing irreversible damage and serious distress. The tree stood for nearly 150 years before Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers set out on dark and stormy night to carry out what a prosecutor called a 'moronic mission' to fell the majestic sycamore, which crashed down onto Hadrian's Wall. Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were each convicted of two counts of criminal damage — one for destroying the tree, the other for damaging the ancient wall. Justice Christina Lambert sentenced the pair each to four years and three months in prison during the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court. The tree, perched in a saddle between two hills, had been known to locals for its scenic setting, but became famous after a cameo in Kevin Costner's 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.' It drew tourists, lovers, landscape photographers and those who spread the ashes of loved ones. It was voted English 'Tree of the Year' in 2016. The two men had long denied cutting down the tree, but changed their tune as they faced their fate. They both testified at trial that they had nothing to do with the vandalism, but a prosecutor said that they eventually admitted to the crime and blamed booze for the act. Prosecutor Richard Wright said that it was a 'fanciful proposition' that they didn't intend to cut down the tree along Hadrian's Wall or realize what they were doing until it was too late. 'The court can be sure they were sober, prepared and planned to do what they did,' Wright said. He said that the pair should serve prison sentences between 18 months and four years. The illegal felling in Northumberland National Park on Sept. 28, 2023, caused instant outrage and news quickly spread beyond the ancient wall built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122 to protect the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. It wasn't Britain's biggest or oldest tree, but the sycamore was prized for its picturesque setting, symmetrically planted between two hills along the wall that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 'This iconic tree can never be replaced,' Andrew Poad, general manager of the heritage and nature conservation charity National Trust, said in a statement read in court by a prosecutor. 'It belonged to the people. It was a totemic symbol for many; a destination to visit whilst walking Hadrian's Wall, a place to make memories, take photos in all seasons; but it was also a place of sanctuary." One man wielded a chainsaw while the other captured the felling on grainy video on a cellphone. Prosecutors couldn't say who cut down the tree and who memorialized the senseless act, but both were equally culpable. In less than three minutes, the tree that had stood nearly 150 years crashed to the ground. Carruthers will have to carry the burden for his actions like a 'form of personal penance,' attorney Andrew Gurney said. 'It was no more than drunken stupidity,' Gurney said, 'and something he would regret for the rest of his life.' At trial, the two men — once the best of friends who have fallen out since their arrests — testified they were at their respective homes on the night of the crime and downplayed their expertise working with chainsaws. But evidence shown to the jury implicated both men. Graham's Range Rover was near the tree around the time it fell. Video of the felling was found on his phone — with metadata showing that it was shot at the location of the tree. As digital data showed Graham's vehicle on its way back to where the two lived about 40 minutes away, Carruthers got a text from his girlfriend with footage of their 12-day-old son. 'I've got a better video than that,' Carruthers replied. The jury didn't hear evidence of a motive for the crime, but Wright suggested in his closing argument that the two had been on a 'moronic mission' and cut down the tree as a joke. 'They woke up the morning after and ... it must have dawned on them that they couldn't see anyone else smiling,' Wright said.
