Latest news with #PcZacharyMarsden
The Sun
31-07-2025
- The Sun
Brothers WILL return to court after ‘assaulting' cop in Manchester Airport ‘brawl'
TWO brothers will return to court after allegedly assaulting a cop in a "brawl" at Manchester Airport. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, was yesterday convicted of attacking two female cops during the carnage. 3 He was also found guilty of headbutting a passenger at a Starbucks in the airport. But jurors were unable to reach a verdict on whether he and brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, assaulted Pc Zachary Marsden causing actual bodily harm. The pair are now facing a retrial on that count, which has been set for April 7 next year. 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 twice struck firearms officer PC Cook with his elbow. 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, Liverpool Crown Court heard. But jurors were told the cop "doesn't appear to connect with Mr Amaaz". 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. The brothers later said they were threatened by an officer and thrown to the ground. Giving evidence, Amaaz said he feared the "lunatic" male officer would "batter him to death", while Amaad said he believed he was under attack. A bail application for Amaaz, who was remanded in custody after the verdicts were returned, has been adjourned until August 26.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
I'd do it all again, says suspect accused of punching police officer six times
A man accused of assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport said there was nothing he would change about his behaviour. Muhammad Amaad, 26, is alleged to have used a 'high level of violence' against Pc Zachary Marsden after he and two female colleagues tried to arrest his brother, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz. The Greater Manchester Police officers entered the Terminal 2 car park pay station after reports that a man fitting Mr Amaaz's description had headbutted a member of the public inside the airport just minutes before on July 23 last year. Credit: CPS Under cross-examination on Tuesday, Mr Amaad denied that his use of force was unlawful or offensive, as he said he sought to defend himself and his brother, as he believed they were 'under attack'. Prosecutors say Mr Amaad took hold of Pc Marsden's right arm as the officer restrained Mr Amaaz, 20, and then grabbed Pc Marsden by the throat and neck. The Crown says he went on to push the officer back and down on to a nearby seated area before he punched him six times. Cross-examining on Tuesday, junior counsel Adam Birkby said: 'The prosecution's case is that during the incident at the pay station your use of force was offensive. It was not defensive. Do you agree or disagree?' Mr Amaad said: 'I disagree.' Mr Birkby said: 'And that level of force, in particular the six punches, was unreasonable.' 'No, I disagree,' said the defendant. Mr Birkby said: 'And your use of force was unlawful.' Mr Amaad said: ' I disagree.' Mr Birkby said: 'On reflection ... is there anything about your behaviour that you would change?' 'No,' said Mr Amaad. Mr Amaad has told the jury that he initially sought to defend his younger brother, who he thought was being choked by Pc Marsden. He said he then acted in self-defence to free himself from the grip of Pc Marsden, who he said punched him first. His barrister Chloe Gardner asked: 'Did you believe you was under attack?' Mr Amaad said: 'Absolutely.' Credit: CPS Mr Amaad is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. Mr Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden and Pc Lydia Ward, causing them actual bodily harm. He is also accused of the assault of emergency worker Pc Ellie Cook, and the earlier assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at a Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals. Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations. The trial continues. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
09-07-2025
- The Independent
Police officer denies he ‘lost control' in aftermath of alleged airport assault
A police officer has denied he 'lost control' in the aftermath of being allegedly assaulted by two brothers at Manchester Airport. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, are said to have struck out after police were called to a reported assault at the Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2 arrivals on July 23 last year, when Amaaz is said to have headbutted a customer. On Wednesday, jurors at Liverpool Crown Court were shown a photograph of injuries to the face of the defendants' mother, said to have been sustained as Pc Zachary Marsden attempted to arrest Amaaz at the T2 car park paystation area. CCTV footage played to the jury showed Mrs Akhtar knelt near to her son on the floor after a Taser discharge felled him. Cross-examining Pc Marsden, Imran Khan KC, defending Amaaz, said: 'Did you cause the injury as a result of your conduct on July 23?' The Greater Manchester Police firearms officer said: 'I believe it is unclear whether or not it was my actions that caused those injuries. I believe I was not the only person who made contact with Mrs Akhtar.' Mr Khan said: 'I am suggesting that it was you who caused that injury by hitting her with a Taser?' Pc Marsden said: 'I firmly believe that you can't wholly attribute my actions to those injuries.' The officer said he believed Amaad had struck his own mother during the disturbance. Mr Khan said: 'Did you push the Taser you were holding into Mrs Akhtar at the time she was tending to Mr Amaaz?' Pc Marsden said: 'I did, yes.' Mr Khan said: 'Did you think that was justified?' Pc Marsden said: 'In the circumstances, yes, I did. 'She grabbed my left leg. Using my left hand, I have taken hold of her grip to remove it. She clamped on to my left hand pulling me forward. 'I was being pulled over Mr Amaaz and at risk of falling on top of him and being vulnerable.' Mr Khan said: 'I am going to suggest to you that was unnecessary. This was a hard push by your Taser on Mrs Akhtar's face?' Pc Marsden said: 'I disagree.' Mr Khan said: 'She was concerned for Mr Amaaz. She was not a threat. She was not interfering with anything you were doing and this was conduct, I suggest, where you have lost control.' Pc Marsden said: 'I would deny that.' Mobile phone footage was also played to the jury of Pc Marsden later using Pava incapacitant spray on a bystander who he said was effectively 'shielding' another man who officers wanted to detain for obstructing their duties. Pc Marsden told the court he deployed the tactic because events were 'beyond verbal reasoning'. The officer was then seen to grab the man around the neck and pull him to the floor, Mr Khan said. Mr Khan said: 'How do you justify putting your hands around a man's neck?' Pc Marsden said: 'Immediately prior, I had been subjected to the most violent assault of my life. 'I was now terrified that we are on the tipping point of another volatile situation. They were complicit in watching us being violently assaulted. 'I used pre-emptive force. I was in pain, exhausted and wanted to try the best I could to effect an arrest.' Mr Khan said: 'Was he doing anything that required Pava spray in the face?' Pc Marsden said: 'My fear was that he would be combative and we would end up with another hostile fight that I didn't want to happen.' Cross-examining Pc Marsden, Chloe Gardner, defending Amaad, said: 'I suggest that you and your colleagues were the aggressors.' Pc Marsden said: 'I can only account for my actions. I deny what you allege.' He also denied her suggestions that he failed to exercise any self-control and did not act with integrity. Pc Marsden 'strongly disagreed' with another suggestion that he had not been honest with the jury. Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden and Pc Lydia Ward, causing them actual bodily harm. He is also accused of the assault of Pc Ellie Cook and the earlier Starbucks assault of Abdulkareem Ismaeil. Amaad is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- The Independent
Pc in airport incident with brothers tells court conduct was ‘professional'
A police firearms officer allegedly assaulted by two brothers at Manchester Airport has told a jury his behaviour on the day of the incident was 'professional'. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, are said to have struck out after police were called to respond to a reported assault at the Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2 arrivals on July 23 last year, when Amaaz is said to have headbutted a customer. Pc Zachary Marsden was one of three officers who shortly after approached Amaaz in T2's car park paystation area with a view to arrest him, Liverpool Crown Court has heard. The Crown say Amaaz resisted and his brother then intervened as they subjected the three officers to a 'high level of violence'. Cross-examining Pc Marsden on Tuesday, Imran Khan KC, defending Amaaz, said: 'It is his case that last year on July 23 you made a series of mistakes, some or all which were not in accordance with your police training which ultimately resulted in your conduct falling below the professional standards required of a police officer. 'And you used unlawful force against him, leaving him to defend himself and his brother.' Mr Khan added: 'You went in, all three of you, and held on to Mr Amaaz which rendered your actions unlawful because the force used was unjustified, disproportionate and not necessary.' Jurors heard that Pc Marsden has served Greater Manchester Police for about five years following a spell as a special constable with Lancashire Constabulary. The officer had regular duties at the airport as an authorised firearms officers since April 2023. Mr Khan asked him: 'As far as you personally are concerned, how would you characterise your performance as a police officer in general?' Pc Marsden said: 'Professional.' Mr Khan said: 'In relation to the events we are dealing with, how would you assess your performance as a police officer that day?' Pc Marsden repeated: 'Professional.' Mr Khan said: 'Having looked at the CCTV, do you consider there were any aspects of your performance that fell below the standards required of a police officer that day?' 'No, said Pc Marsden. Pc Marsden said he had received a report of 'two Asian males fighting outside Starbucks' and on arrival was told by a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, that he had been headbutted by a male in a blue tracksuit who had made off towards the car park. Mr Khan said: 'You potentially had two suspects or two victims. 'It appears you were taking Mr Ismaeil's word for it?' Pc Marsden replied: 'It's unfortunate I was not able to talk to the male in blue as he attacked me before I could engage in any form of communication.' He said his plan was to escort the suspect from the crowd in the paystation area and to arrest him outside where he would have radio signal and a 'line of sight' of his colleagues. Mr Khan suggested that announcing his presence as a police officer as he entered the area would have been 'one of the better options', Pc Marsden said: 'I did not deem that to be a safe option. 'My honestly held belief was that it was not appropriate to explain our attendance in the hope that he would comply and leave with us. 'Based on my policing experience, someone who has been violent once is more likely to be violent again when challenged.' Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden and Pc Lydia Ward, causing them actual bodily harm. He is also accused of the assault of Pc Ellie Cook and the earlier assault of Mr Ismaeil. Amaad is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations. Mr Khan said to Pc Marsden: 'Is the position this, that throughout the incident the force you used was justified, proportionate and reasonable?' 'Yes,' said Pc Marsden. The witness said he was met with initial resistance from Amaaz so decided to put his hand on the back of the suspect's neck and push him downwards to knock him off balance. Mr Khan said: 'Had you considered that might be frightening to Mr Amaaz, what you were doing?' Pc Marsden said: 'No. My concerns were my safety and my colleagues' safety.' As the second defendant intervened the officer threw two punches, the court heard. Mr Khan said: 'You are the first person to throw any blows in this incident, aren't you?' Pc Marsden said: 'A pre-emptive strike, yes.'
The Independent
30-06-2025
- The Independent
Potential jurors warned not to seek information in airport police assault case
Potential jurors in the trial of two brothers accused of assaulting police officers at Manchester Airport have been told not to seek out information about the case. Footage of the disturbance at the Terminal 2 building on July 23 last year was widely shared online. On Monday the selection process began for the jury to hear the case at Liverpool Crown Court. Addressing the jury panel, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: 'You will have realised from the (jury) questionnaire that this trial involves events at Manchester Airport on July 23 last year. 'Those events attracted a lot of attention in the mainstream media and on social media, and it is likely as the trial progresses there will be further coverage and comment. 'You must reach verdicts based on the evidence presented in court. You must now allow yourself to be influenced by anything you read or hear in the mainstream media or social media.' He added it was of the 'utmost importance' not to look on the internet or elsewhere for information about the case before the candidates return to court on Wednesday when the trial jury will be selected and sworn in. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, is alleged to have assaulted Pc Zachary Marsden and Pc Lydia Ward, causing them actual bodily harm. He is also accused of the assault of Pc Ellie Cook in the same incident at the terminal's car park pay station, and the earlier assault of Abdulkareem Ismaeil, a member of the public, at a nearby Starbucks cafe. Muhammad Amaad, 26, also from Rochdale, is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. Both deny the allegations. The trial is scheduled to last three weeks.
