Who Is The Manchester Airport Brawl Suspect? Man Feared Being Beaten To Death, Justifies Heating Female PCs

A man accused of violently assaulting two female police officers during a brawl at Manchester Airport told a court he acted in self-defence because he believed he was about to be beaten to death. The incident, which occurred at Terminal 2 on 23 July 2024, led to a widely circulated video showing officers being punched and knocked unconscious in front of shocked bystanders.

The suspect, 20-year-old Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both from Rochdale, are facing multiple charges, including actual bodily harm and assaulting emergency workers. The case is currently being heard at Liverpool Crown Court.

Violence Erupts in Duty-Free Area After Starbucks Altercation

The disturbance began when Amaaz allegedly headbutted a customer at a Starbucks inside Manchester Airport's Terminal 2. Police were called to the scene and attempted to arrest him near a ticket machine in the adjacent duty-free area.

CCTV and body-worn camera footage presented in court captured the moment tensions escalated. In the CCTV video posted by Times News, officers were seen grappling with the suspect, during which PC Lydia Ward was punched multiple times in the face. She was knocked unconscious, suffered a broken nose, and required hospital treatment.

PC Ellie Cook, another female officer present during the arrest, was also reportedly struck in the face.

Defendant Claims He Acted in Fear of His Life

During his testimony, Amaaz said he believed the officers were using excessive force and feared he would be 'battered to death'. He claimed his reaction was instinctive and that he had no intention of harming the officers.

'Honestly, I believed if he [PC Marsden] took me to the ground, I thought he would have battered me to the point where I was dead, and he would have killed me,' Amaaz told the court, as reported by MSN.

Prosecutors, however, stated that Amaaz struck PC Ward approximately ten times, rendering her unconscious and leaving her face bloodied. The footage of the attack has since gone viral and sparked widespread public reaction.

Public Outcry and Police Scrutiny Following Viral Footage

The incident has triggered national debate over the use of force, officer safety, and the role of bystanders during violent altercations. In the video, several onlookers can be seen filming the incident rather than intervening or offering assistance.

Despite the violent nature of the footage, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that no police officers involved in the incident would face charges, citing a lack of sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating the officers' actions to determine whether any disciplinary measures are necessary.

Police Federation Responds as Trial Continues

The Police Federation defended the officers' response, saying they faced a chaotic and dangerous situation. They stressed the physical risks officers face in high-stress environments such as airports, where incidents can escalate quickly.

The fact that both injured officers were female has also reignited discussions around gender and vulnerability in frontline policing.

Greater Manchester Police has declined to comment while the IOPC review is ongoing. The trial at Liverpool Crown Court continues, with a verdict expected later this year.