Latest news with #ManchesterAirport
Metro
8 minutes ago
- Metro
Brother guilty of attacking two female PCs at Manchester Airport
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video One of the brothers in the viral Manchester Airport fight has been found guilty of attacking two female police officers. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, lashed out at police called to respond to an earlier incident at the Starbucks cafe in the Terminal 2 building. Amaaz was convicted of assaulting PC Lydia Ward and emergency worker PC Ellie Cook. He was also found guilty of headbutting a member of the public Abdulkareem Ismaeil, who he had claimed racially abused his mother on an incoming flight. CCTV footage of the assault was played to jurors at Liverpool Crown Court and shows Amaaz throwing 10 punches, including one to the face of PC Ward that broke her nose and knocked her to the floor. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on allegations that Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Ahmed, 26, assaulted PC Zachary Marsden causing actual bodily harm. Prosecutors are now seeking a retrial on these counts. Amaaz insisted his actions, including the headbutt in Starbucks, were all in self-defence, and told jurors he did not realise two of the police officers he hit were women. The brothers had travelled to the airport with their young nephew to collect their mother who was due to arrive back on a flight from Qatar on July 23 last year. Three officers, PC Zachary Marsden and PC Ellie Cook – both armed – and PC Lydia Ward, unarmed, had approached the siblings after a report that a male fitting his description had headbutted a customer at Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals. PC Ward said she had 'never experienced' such violence towards her in her police service. The officer, who joined GMP in 2018, said: 'Never in my whole time in the police service had that level of violence been used on me before. It felt really hard. 'As I came round, all I could feel was blood pouring out of my nose. I was just thinking he has done something to my nose, face area, I didn't know what has happened.' She added: 'I was absolutely terrified. I had never experienced that level of violence towards me in my life. 'I didn't know who was going to come up at me next. I was scared of going after this male again and being punched in the face again.' Cross-examining Amaaz, who said he didn't realise PC Ward was a woman when he punched her, Mr Greaney said: 'The prosecution case is there was absolutely nothing defensive in punching that woman (PC Ward) in the face. More Trending 'It was offensive and unlawful, and you were wholly out of control.' Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson said: 'While disappointed that the prosecution case was not fully endorsed, I welcome the findings of the jury in respect of the convicted offender, whose appalling conduct has now been exposed to legitimate public scrutiny. 'Our officers first approached the man now convicted in order to make an arrest following the unprovoked assault on an innocent man in the presence of his wife and children. They were responding quickly to precisely the sort of outrageous criminal behaviour that rightly offends the public. 'I am particularly grateful to those many members of the public who have contacted the force in order to pass on their best wishes to the officers affected.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Ian Brady's secret autobiography 'could finally reveal location of final victim' MORE: New York City skyscraper shooting victims identified: Everything we know MORE: Boy, 14, fighting for life after 'horrific' stabbing in east London
Powys County Times
13 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Man found guilty of assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport
A student has been found guilty of assaulting two female police officers during a fracas at Manchester Airport which went viral on social media. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, floored Pc Lydia Ward with a punch to the face which broke her nose and also knocked Pc Ellie Cook to the ground. Both officers and their colleague, Pc Zachary Marsden, approached Amaaz, 20, at a car park ticket machine after a report that a male fitting his description had headbutted a customer at Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals on July 23 last year. Amaaz allegedly resisted, and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, is then said to have intervened as the prosecution said they inflicted a 'high level of violence' on the Greater Manchester Police officers. Both defendants, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, told the court they acted in lawful self-defence, or in defence of the other. On Wednesday a jury at Liverpool Crown Court found Amaaz guilty of the assault of Pc Ward causing actual bodily harm and the assault of emergency worker Pc Cook. Amaaz was also convicted of the Starbucks assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil. Jurors – after 10 hours of deliberating – could not reach a verdict on allegations the two brothers assaulted Pc Marsden causing actual bodily harm. Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the court that the Crown intends to retry both defendants on the charge they assaulted Pc Marsden. Prosecutors had told the jury that CCTV footage showed Amaaz threw 10 punches in total and that Amaad aimed six punches at firearms officer Pc Marsden. Amaaz was also said to have kicked Pc Marsden and twice struck firearms officer Pc Cook with his elbow. He was said to have punched Pc Marsden from behind and then had hold of him before Pc Cook discharged her Taser device. Mobile phone footage of a kick and stamp by Pc Marsden as Amaaz lay on the floor was shared on social media and went viral. Giving evidence, Amaaz said he feared the 'lunatic' male officer would 'batter him to death' and Amaad said he believed he was under attack. The defence said the officers used 'unlawful force' as they grabbed Amaaz from behind without announcing themselves. Amaaz was remanded in custody by Judge Neil Flewitt KC. A bail application hearing for Amaaz will take place on Thursday. In December the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced Pc Marsden would not face charges over the incident. A probe into the actions of Pc Marsden by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) remains ongoing, including a criminal investigation which may consider a re-referral to the CPS, jurors were told. Giving evidence at the trial, Pc Marsden said he was unaware Amaaz had been tasered and he kicked him in the face 'to stun the subject' as he believed he was attempting to get off the floor. He told the court he did not believe he struck Amaaz's head with a stamp in which he sought to clamp down on the loose wire of his police radio to avoid it being used as a weapon against him. Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson said he 'welcomed the findings' of the jury in relation to Amaaz, 'whose appalling conduct has now been exposed to legitimate public scrutiny'. 'GMP is actively supportive of a retrial in respect of the two counts where a verdict was not achieved. 'Our officers first approached the man now convicted in order to make an arrest following the unprovoked assault on an innocent man in the presence of his wife and children. 'They were responding quickly to precisely the sort of outrageous criminal behaviour that rightly offends the public. 'Whilst assaults on police officers are sadly not uncommon – 44 of my officers are assaulted every week across GM – such attacks can never be justified. Our officers are decent people who routinely place themselves in harm's way to protect the public. They deserve our respect and support.'
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Air traffic control issue causes disruption to flights at Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport is affected by delays following widespread air traffic control issues across the UK. It follows a 'technical issue' at an air traffic control centre, with all flights from the UK affected, impacting some passengers. Manchester Airport tweeted on X: 'A national air traffic control issue is affecting flights across the country meaning many departures and arrivals are currently impacted. 'Passengers due to travel are advised to stay in touch with their airlines for updates to their flights. 'We will post further updates as more information becomes available.' Air traffic control provider Nats said it has 'restored the system' which is causing flight delays and is in the 'process of resuming normal operations'. However, disruption is expected to continue. Nats said: "Our engineers have now restored the system that was affected this afternoon. "We continue to work closely with airline and airport customers to minimise disruption. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused." Recommended Reading: Manchester Airport opens newly redeveloped Terminal 2 Best aeroplane seats to book and how to sleep on a flight New hand luggage sizes for every airline - don't get caught out Its full statement, shared to X, reads: 'As a result of a technical issue at NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre, we are limiting the number of aircraft flying in the London control area in order to ensure safety, which is always our first priority. 'We apologise for any delays this may cause. Our engineers are working hard to resolve the problem as quickly as possible and we are working closely with airlines to help minimise disruption.' Nats explained: 'At this stage we cannot say how long it will be before operations are back to normal. Please check with your airline on the status of your flight.'
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Thug who brawled with cops in Manchester Airport GUILTY of assault after chaos sparked nationwide protests
A THUG who brawled with police in Manchester Airport before pinning the blame on cops have been found guilty of assault. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, sparked nationwide protests after claiming they were attacked by the officers. 7 Footage played to jurors shows the brothers brawling with police 7 Amaaz broke one of the officer's noses in the carnage 7 Muhammed Amaad, left, and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, right, stood trial Credit: Getty Two of the officers were also probed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and faced criminal charges. But during their trial, it was alleged the brothers had actually lashed out at police when they were called to deal with an earlier altercation. Amaaz was captured on CCTV headbutting passenger Abdulkareem Ismaeil in the cafe and punching him in a Starbucks . When PC Zachary Marsden, PC Ellie Cook and PC Lydia Ward approached the brothers in the car park of Terminal 2, Amaaz and Amaad were accused of displaying a "high level of violence". Amaaz has now been convicted of assaulting PC Ward and PC Cook following the horror last July. Horrific footage showed Amaaz resisting arrest as the officers tried to move him away from a payment machine to cuff him. He threw ten punches - including one to PC Ward's face that sent her crashing to the ground with blood pouring from her nose. Amaaz also kicked PC Marsden and twice struck firearms officer PC Cook with his elbow. Most read in The Sun Both Amaaz and PC Marsden then fell to the ground before the officer got up and appeared to "stamp" his foot towards Amaaz's head, Manchester Crown Court heard. But jurors were told the cop "doesn't appear to connect with Mr Amaaz". Moment man 'headbutted dad at Manchester airport before brawling with cops' As the brawl continued, the police officers got their Tasers out before managing to handcuff the brothers with the help of other cops. At one point, PC Ward could be seen appearing to cry as she holds her nose. In his evidence, PC Marsden said he felt "blows from all directions" and branded them the "hardest I have ever felt in my life". He also said felt an "immense weight of pressure" to his right side and felt his Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol move across his leg and around his body during the brawl. PC Marsden added: "My initial fear is that someone is trying to get my gun. If someone gained my firearm it would pose an immediate lethal threat to anyone in the vicinity. "The risk of my firearm being taken from me did not stop until we gained control. "There was more than one person involved here - the aggressor I was trying to arrest and possibly an accomplice who was a much bigger physical build than me and much taller." 7 Video showed one of the brothers headbutting a passenger before the brawl Jurors heard PC Marsden suffered "post-concussion syndrome" and was left with a "severe headache" for three days, dizziness, forgetfulness and bruising and swelling. PC Ward was left with a broken nose and needed surgery under general anaesthetic, it was said. The court heard previously that the brothers had gone to meet their mum at the airport on July 23 last year. She had been involved in some sort of incident with Abdulkareem either on their flight or shortly after it. As the brothers passed by Starbucks, the mum pointed out Abdulkareem to her sons as he sat with his wife and children in the cafe. Amaaz entered the cafe and headbutted the dad before punching him a number of times. Protests were held across Rochdale and Manchester after the footage emerged last summer . The brothers later said they were threatened by an officer and thrown to the ground. Their claims saw Greater plunged into crisis as video showed PC Marsden allegedly kicking Amaaz. They initially hired TikTok solicitor Timeline of chaos Footage of an incident at Manchester Airport between police officers and members of the public went viral on social media in July. A timeline below sets out what happened: July 23 : According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), an altercation takes place between passengers from a Qatar Airways flight which arrives at Manchester Airport at 7.20pm. A second incident, which police describe as a "violent altercation involving members of the public", happens in the Starbucks of Terminal Two just after 8.20pm. A third incident happens in the car park pay point area shortly before 8.30pm. Brothers Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammed Amaad, 25 and their mother Shameem Akhtar, 56, from Rochdale, are allegedly assaulted. Police say three of their officers receive head injuries, including a broken nose. Four men are arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers. July 24 : A police officer is removed from operational duties after footage of the incident, appearing to show a man being kicked and having his head stamped on as he lies on the floor, is shared online. Police make a voluntary referral of their response to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). That night, an estimated 200 people gather outside Rochdale police station to protest in response. GMP say the protest concludes "without incident" July 25 : A GMP officer is suspended from all duties. The IOPC confirms it is independently investigating the level of force used. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says he has seen full footage of the incident, which shows a "fast-moving and complicated" situation with "issues for both sides". Protests in Manchester city centre that evening involve blocked roads and tram lines while videos online appear to show a handful of demonstrators with their faces covered, throwing eggs at Rochdale police station. Rochdale MP Paul Waugh says he has spoken to the family involved and they want to appeal for calm. July 26 : The IOPC announces that a police constable is under criminal investigation for assault and has been told he is being investigated for potential gross misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of professional standards, including his use of force. Former Rochdale MP George Galloway visits the town and says he plans to meet the family involved. July 27 : New footage, appearing to show events in the moments before the video which has already been shared, becomes public. The Manchester Evening News publishes the video, which appears to show men throwing punches at officers. Two female officers appear to be struck, with one ending up on the ground. August 1 : Solicitor for the family, Aamer Anwar, says he has spoken with the IOPC about lodging a formal complaint against officers and says the family wants to understand on what legal basis Mr Burnham was shown the complete CCTV. August 6 : The family and their lawyer hold a press conference in which they outline their version of events. August 8 : The IOPC reveals a second officer is under criminal investigation for assault, relating to an incident shortly afterwards when two other men were arrested. The watchdog's acting regional director Catherine Bates says its investigation is ongoing in parallel with a GMP investigation into whether criminal offences were committed by members of the public. August 15 : GMP says a "comprehensive file of evidence" has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice as part of an investigation into a series of alleged criminal offences. September 5 : The family meet with the IOPC to discuss progress on its investigation. September 6 : A spokesman for the police watchdog says it will investigate whether someone employed by the force shared footage. October 7 : MPs from Reform UK write to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, pledging to launch a private prosecution against those involved if charges are not brought by the CPS. November 18 : The CPS says it is still "considering material" and working with police and the IOPC while inquiries continue. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says the party will make a legal application. December 20 : It is announced that Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, has been charged with two offences of causing actual bodily harm, one charge of assaulting an emergency worker and one charge of common assault, and Muhammed Amaad, 25, has been charged with one count of causing actual bodily harm. No police officers will be charged, the CPS says. July 7, 2025: Unseen footage is released by the CPS showing the brothers attacking the officers. It also emerges Amaaz had earlier headbutted a passenger in a Starbucks at the airport. The brothers kept up their narrative of being the victims during the trial - with Amaaz claiming he feared he would be "killed" by PC Marsden during the chaos. He added: "It's not like it hasn't happened before when police officers have abused their powers and people have died.' Amaaz denied assaulting PC Marsden and PC Ward, causing them actual bodily harm. He was also accused of the assault of PC Cook and the earlier assault of Abdulkareem Ismaeil at Starbucks. Read more on the Irish Sun Amaad pleaded not guilty to assaulting PC Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. The pair will be sentenced at a later date. 7 As police came to arrest them, Amaaz allegedly lashed out at cops 7 PC Marsden stamped his foot towards Amaaz's head but did not make contact 7 The brothers were eventually restrained
ITV News
2 hours ago
- ITV News
Man who used 'high level of violence' against two female airport police officers guilty of assault
A man who used a "high level of violence" in a confrontation with police at Manchester Airport which broke one female officer's nose, has been found guilty of assault. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, struck out after police were called to respond to an incident in Terminal 2 on 23 July 2024. As he resisted arrest he landed a number of punches on the officers before he was eventually felled by a Taser. PC Lydia Ward, who had her nose broken by Amaaz, told the court she was 'absolutely terrified' during the incident, having 'never experienced' such violence towards her in her police service. Amaz maintained he had been lawfully acting in self defence or in defence of his brother who was also present, but a jury at Liverpool Crown Court found him guilty of assaulting two female police officers. Amaaz was convicted of the assault of PC Lydia Ward causing actual bodily harm and the assault of emergency worker PC Ellie Cook. He was also found guilty of an earlier assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at the airport. The jury was unable to reach verdicts on allegations that Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Ahmed, 26, assaulted PC Zachary Marsden causing actual bodily harm. Liverpool Crown Court heard the disturbance began when officers approached Amaaz at a ticket machine after a report a male fitting his description had earlier headbutted a customer at Starbucks in arrivals. The officers planned to secure the suspect and take him outside, away from the crowded area, the court was told. But Amaaz began 'tense up and resist', with things going from "nought to a hundred" very quickly. 'My attention was mainly on Mr Amaaz," PC Ward said. 'I was trying to keep hold of Mr Amaaz's arm and get it behind his back so I could get some cuffs on him.' She added: "All I remember then is that he turned and he punched me straight in the face. 'I can't really remember where it landed but I know where my injuries were. I remember falling on the floor and everything went black.' She told prosecutor Adam Birkby that the blow delivered was 'really forceful'. PC Ward, a former special constable with Lancashire Police who joined Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in 2018, said: 'Never in my whole time in the police service had that level of violence been used on me before. It felt really hard. 'As I came round, all I could feel was blood pouring out of my nose. I was just thinking he has done something to my nose, face area, I didn't know what has happened.' Mr Birkby said: 'How did you feel when you came round?' PC Ward replied: 'I was terrified to be honest. I was absolutely terrified. I had never experienced that level of violence towards me in my life. 'I didn't know who was going to come up at me next. I was scared of going after this male again and being punched in the face again.'
