A man captured on CCTV throwing punches at armed police at Manchester Airport told a court he resisted arrest because he feared an officer planned to “batter me to the point where I was dead”.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, gave evidence at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, describing for the first time his version of events during the violent confrontation that went viral on social media last July.
The Rochdale resident, who is on trial alongside his brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, claimed he was “fighting for my life” when he struck two policewomen and a male officer who were attempting to detain him for allegedly headbutting a passenger at a Starbucks café minutes earlier.
Feared Fatal Attack
Amaaz told jurors he initially believed he was being attacked by someone connected to the passenger he had allegedly headbutted when officers approached him at Terminal 2’s car park pay station. He said he quickly realised PC Zachary Marsden was a police officer but feared for his life.
“All of a sudden I just remember him grabbing the back of my neck and trying to force me down to the ground,” Amaaz testified. Asked by his barrister Imran Khan KC why he resisted arrest, he replied: “I believe if he’d brought me down to the ground he’d have battered me to the point where I was dead and he’d have killed me.
The defendant, who answered “no comment” to all questions during police interviews, said he was “scared and frightened” as the officers hadn’t explained why they were detaining him.
Family Police Connections
The court heard that six members of Amaaz’s family, including his brother Abid, are current or former police officers. Neither defendant had been arrested before the incident.
Despite these family connections, Amaaz insisted he had no “hostility” towards police before the confrontation. I believe he’s going to get me down to the ground and once I’m there he’s going to batter me to the point where I’m dead,” he told the court, citing awareness of cases where police had “abused their powers and as a result of that people have died.
Muhammad Amaad, 26, was captured on CCTV subjecting firearms officer PC Marsden to what prosecutors described as “blows from all directions” after his brother began resisting arrest.
Female Officers Struck
Amaaz admitted striking PC Ellie Cook without realising she was a female officer, claiming he lashed out after she threw punches at his brother. He said officers never identified themselves or explained the arrest.
The most serious injury occurred when Amaaz was filmed punching unarmed PC Lydia Ward in the face, breaking her nose. He claimed he struck her instinctively after feeling a punch to his throat, without realising she was another female officer.
“I just literally feel a punch and instinctively I feel I need to protect myself so I turn and punch at the same time,” Amaaz testified. He said his reaction upon seeing PC Ward fall bleeding was: “S*** it’s another officer – when’s it going to stop?”
Mistook Taser for Gun
The defendant told jurors he saw PC Marsden aiming what he believed was a gun at his brother, though it was actually a 50,000-volt Taser. This guy’s about to shoot and kill my brother,” Amaaz said he thought at the time.
Earlier in the trial, PC Marsden testified that the brothers delivered “the hardest” punches he had ever felt during his police career. I can confidently say these are the hardest I’ve ever felt in my life,” the firearms officer told the court.
Viral Footage Aftermath
The incident sparked widespread protests after footage emerged showing PC Marsden kicking Amaaz in the head whilst he lay on the ground following the Taser deployment. The video went viral on social media, prompting demonstrations outside Rochdale police station and in Manchester city centre.
Following a Crown Prosecution Service review, no officers will face charges over the incident. CPS head Frank Ferguson cited expert evidence and concluded there was “no realistic prospect of conviction” against any officer.
The brothers’ family expressed shock at this decision through their solicitor Aamer Anwar, who confirmed they plan to request a victim’s right of review.
Charges and Context
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz faces four charges: two counts of causing actual bodily harm to PC Marsden and PC Ward, assault of emergency worker PC Cook, and common assault of Abdulkareem Ismaeil at Starbucks. Muhammad Amaad is charged with causing actual bodily harm to PC Marsden.
The court heard the incident began when the brothers and a young nephew had gone to collect their mother from a Qatar Airways flight. An altercation between the mother and another passenger allegedly led to the Starbucks confrontation.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC has warned jurors not to be influenced by media coverage, noting the case “attracted a large amount of mainstream and social media interest”. Both defendants, who appeared in matching black suits, deny all charges.
The trial continues.
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