Jury in Manchester airport police assault trial may reach majority verdict

Judge tells jury he can now accept verdicts agreed by 10 of 11 jurors as deliberations continue into second day

The jury in the trial of two brothers accused of assaulting police at Manchester Airport has been told the court will now accept majority verdicts.

On Tuesday, His Honour Judge Neil Flewitt KC informed the panel that, although it was preferable to reach unanimous decisions, he could now legally accept verdicts agreed by at least 10 of the 11 remaining jurors.

One juror had been discharged on Monday due to a pre-planned holiday, leaving 11 to continue deliberating. The jury had originally been sent out on Monday to consider verdicts in the case.

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Addressing the court after receiving a note from the jury—whose contents were not disclosed—Judge Flewitt said:

“It’s always better if you can to reach verdicts on which you are all agreed. But I’m going to ask you to continue your deliberations for a while longer.”

He added: “If you cannot all agree, then I can accept majority verdicts of at least 10 of you.”

The jurors were then sent home for the day and will resume their discussions on Wednesday.

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The case so far:

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 25, both from Rochdale, are on trial at Liverpool Crown Court charged with assaulting police officers in the Terminal 2 car park on 23 July 2023.

Mr Amaaz faces four charges: assaulting a male passenger, assaulting PC Marsden and PC Lydia Ward causing actual bodily harm, and assaulting PC Ellie Cook by beating.

Mr Amaad faces one charge: assaulting PC Marsden.

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