Manchester Airport Attack Retrial - Day 16: Latest Updates & Live News

MANCHESTER AIRPORT ATTACK RETRIAL: BROTHERS BACK IN COURT

We are live at the retrial of two men accused of assault and violent disorder following a widely publicised incident at Manchester Airport has commenced at Liverpool Crown Court.

The trial of two brothers accused of a "high-intensity" assault on an armed officer at Manchester Airport enters its next phase today at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad theAmaad, 26, face a jury in Court 41 following the now-infamous confrontation in the Terminal 2 car park on July 23, 2024. The Rochdale pair stand accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) against PC Zachary Marsden.

Read more: Manchester Airport Assault Trial: Week Three Summary

The prosecution alleges that the brothers launched in a sustained attack on the officer after a prior dispute in the terminal's arrivals area. While the defence maintains the men were acting in self-defence, the Crown argues the level of violence used was both unlawful and extreme.

Presided over by HHJ Neil Flewitt KC, the proceedings are scheduled to run for four to five weeks as the jury unpicks the chaotic minutes that led to an officer being hospitalized and several others injured.

THE TRIAL: KEY POINTS SO FAR

🔴 THE CHARGES: Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad both deny one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) against PC Zachary Marsden.

Read more: Manchester Airport Assaut Retrial: Week Two Summary

🔴 "HIGH LEVEL OF VIOLENCE": Lead prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the court the brothers engaged in a "fracas" with armed police, alleging that Amaaz delivered multiple blows and kicks within a 30-second window.

🔴 PRIOR CONVICTIONS: The jury has been informed of "agreed facts," including that Mohammed Fahir Amaaz was convicted last year of assaulting a passenger (Abdulkareem Ismaeil) and two female officers (PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook) during the same incident.

🔴 THE DEFENCE POSITION: Counsel for the brothers argue their clients were reacting to threats and were acting in lawful self-defence or the defence of each other.

🔴 VIDEO EVIDENCE: The case relies heavily on CCTV and police body-worn video. Jurors have already seen footage of a "headbutt" in a Starbucks cafe which the prosecution claims triggered the entire police intervention.

Read more: Manchester Airport Attack Retrial: Week One Recap

At a previous trial, Mr Amaaz was convicted of assaulting Abdulkareem Ismaeil in Starbucks, and of assaulting two female police officers, PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook, the court has heard.

The defendants, both of Tarnside Close, Rochdale, deny the charge. The trial into the incident, which happened on July 23, 2024, is scheduled to last five weeks.

LIVE REPORTING BY: Jason King

Edited by: James Hornung

We'll bring you the latest updates on our live feed below...

14:54

🔴 HEADBUTT NOT FORCEFUL SAYS DEFENDANT

Asked if the headbutt delivered by his brother was forceful, Mr Amaad told the jury: "I wouldn't say it was forceful, no." He rejected claims that the strike was born out of anger ⬇️

14:51

🔴 JURY SHOWN HEADBUTT FOOTAGE

The court has been shown footage of the moment Mr Amaaz headbutted Mr Ismaeil. The prosecution alleges the assault occurred because the passenger would not admit to racial abuse ⬇️

14:48

🔴 ALLEGATION: STRIKE BORN OF ANGER

Mr Birkby alleged that Mr Amaaz headbutted the passenger out of anger. Mr Amaad denied this, rejecting the suggestion that his brother acted because Mr Ismaeil would not admit to abuse ⬇️

14:45

🔴 NO ANGER OVER DENIED ABUSE

Mr Amaad told jurors it did not "anger and annoy" him that Mr Ismaeil denied racially abusing his mother. He claimed the confrontation remained focused on obtaining an admission ⬇️

14:42

🔴 STARBUCKS STAFF CONTRADICT DEFENDANT

Adam Birkby noted two Starbucks employees concluded Mr Ismaeil was "calm" while Mr Amaaz was "angry." Mr Amaad said he could not offer an explanation for their observations ⬇️

14:39

🔴 MAINTAINS BROTHER WAS CALM

Mr Amaad maintained that his brother was "calm and polite" during the Starbucks interaction. He denied prosecution claims that Mr Amaaz was "angry and aggressive" ⬇️

14:37

🔴 ISMAEIL WAS EFFECTIVELY CORNERED

Mr Amaad accepted that, looking back, Mr Ismaeil was "effectively cornered" by the two brothers. However, he insisted that cornering the passenger was never his intention ⬇️

14:34

🔴 WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE

The defendant accepted he was within "touching distance" of Mr Ismaeil during the confrontation. He told the court he had not anticipated getting into an argument or a fight ⬇️

14:31

🔴 DID NOT ANTICIPATE A FIGHT

Mr Amaad told the court he did not expect the interaction to escalate. He claimed he simply wanted to talk to the man and did not anticipate a physical confrontation ⬇️

14:28

🔴 ACCEPTED COULD HAVE CALLED POLICE

The defendant accepted he could have contacted the police instead of confronting Mr Ismaeil. He told the court his only goal at the time was to speak with the passenger directly ⬇️

14:25

🔴 CLAIM MUM WAS RACIALLY ABUSED

Mr Amaad claimed Mr Ismaeil subjected his mother to racial abuse on "multiple occasions." He also alleged the man "whacked" his hand luggage into his mother's leg ⬇️

14:22

🔴 DENIED ANGER OVER ALLEGED INCIDENT

Mr Amaad denied being "angry" toward Mr Ismaeil following the alleged abuse. "I was just confused, shocked and confused as to why he would do it," he told the jury ⬇️

14:19

🔴 PREVIOUS JURY WAS WRONG

Mr Amaad told the court he believes the jury in a previous trial were "wrong" to conclude his brother's use of force was unlawful. He maintains Mr Amaaz was the victim ⬇️

14:16

🔴 ISMAEIL CALLED THE AGGRESSOR

Mr Amaad agreed it is his case that Mr Ismaeil was the aggressor during the Starbucks incident. He maintains his brother, Mr Amaaz, was the victim in that interaction ⬇️

14:13

🔴 ACCEPTS PREVIOUS CONVICTION

The defendant told the court he accepts that a jury last year convicted his brother of assaulting Mr Ismaeil. However, he continues to dispute the lawfulness of that force ⬇️

14:11

🔴 ADAM BIRKBY KC BEGINS QUESTIONS

Junior prosecution counsel Adam Birkby has started his cross-examination of the second defendant. The questioning follows the completion of Mr Amaad's initial evidence ⬇️

14:09

🔴 TRIAL RESUMES AFTER LUNCH

Good afternoon from Liverpool Crown Court. The trial has resumed following the lunch break, with Muhammad Amaad returning to the witness box to face cross-examination ⬇️

14:54

🔴 HEADBUTT NOT FORCEFUL SAYS DEFENDANT

Asked if the headbutt delivered by his brother was forceful, Mr Amaad told the jury: "I wouldn't say it was forceful, no." He rejected claims that the strike was born out of anger ⬇️

14:51

🔴 JURY SHOWN HEADBUTT FOOTAGE

The court has been shown footage of the moment Mr Amaaz headbutted Mr Ismaeil. The prosecution alleges the assault occurred because the passenger would not admit to racial abuse ⬇️

14:48

🔴 ALLEGATION: STRIKE BORN OF ANGER

Mr Birkby alleged that Mr Amaaz headbutted the passenger out of anger. Mr Amaad denied this, rejecting the suggestion that his brother acted because Mr Ismaeil would not admit to abuse ⬇️

14:45

🔴 NO ANGER OVER DENIED ABUSE

Mr Amaad told jurors it did not "anger and annoy" him that Mr Ismaeil denied racially abusing his mother. He claimed the confrontation remained focused on obtaining an admission ⬇️

14:42

🔴 STARBUCKS STAFF CONTRADICT DEFENDANT

Adam Birkby noted two Starbucks employees concluded Mr Ismaeil was "calm" while Mr Amaaz was "angry." Mr Amaad said he could not offer an explanation for their observations ⬇️

14:39

🔴 MAINTAINS BROTHER WAS CALM

Mr Amaad maintained that his brother was "calm and polite" during the Starbucks interaction. He denied prosecution claims that Mr Amaaz was "angry and aggressive" ⬇️

14:37

🔴 ISMAEIL WAS EFFECTIVELY CORNERED

Mr Amaad accepted that, looking back, Mr Ismaeil was "effectively cornered" by the two brothers. However, he insisted that cornering the passenger was never his intention ⬇️

14:34

🔴 WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE

The defendant accepted he was within "touching distance" of Mr Ismaeil during the confrontation. He told the court he had not anticipated getting into an argument or a fight ⬇️

14:31

🔴 DID NOT ANTICIPATE A FIGHT

Mr Amaad told the court he did not expect the interaction to escalate. He claimed he simply wanted to talk to the man and did not anticipate a physical confrontation ⬇️

14:28

🔴 ACCEPTED COULD HAVE CALLED POLICE

The defendant accepted he could have contacted the police instead of confronting Mr Ismaeil. He told the court his only goal at the time was to speak with the passenger directly ⬇️

14:25

🔴 CLAIM MUM WAS RACIALLY ABUSED

Mr Amaad claimed Mr Ismaeil subjected his mother to racial abuse on "multiple occasions." He also alleged the man "whacked" his hand luggage into his mother's leg ⬇️

14:22

🔴 DENIED ANGER OVER ALLEGED INCIDENT

Mr Amaad denied being "angry" toward Mr Ismaeil following the alleged abuse. "I was just confused, shocked and confused as to why he would do it," he told the jury ⬇️

14:19

🔴 PREVIOUS JURY WAS WRONG

Mr Amaad told the court he believes the jury in a previous trial were "wrong" to conclude his brother's use of force was unlawful. He maintains Mr Amaaz was the victim ⬇️

14:16

🔴 ISMAEIL CALLED THE AGGRESSOR

Mr Amaad agreed it is his case that Mr Ismaeil was the aggressor during the Starbucks incident. He maintains his brother, Mr Amaaz, was the victim in that interaction ⬇️

14:13

🔴 ACCEPTS PREVIOUS CONVICTION

The defendant told the court he accepts that a jury last year convicted his brother of assaulting Mr Ismaeil. However, he continues to dispute the lawfulness of that force ⬇️

14:11

🔴 ADAM BIRKBY KC BEGINS QUESTIONS

Junior prosecution counsel Adam Birkby has started his cross-examination of the second defendant. The questioning follows the completion of Mr Amaad's initial evidence ⬇️

14:09

🔴 TRIAL RESUMES AFTER LUNCH

Good afternoon from Liverpool Crown Court. The trial has resumed following the lunch break, with Muhammad Amaad returning to the witness box to face cross-examination ⬇️

12:45

🔴 DEFENDANT HAS NO PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS

Muhammad Amaad told the jury he has no previous convictions or cautions. The court heard he had never been inside a police station prior to his arrival following the incident at Manchester Airport ⬇️

12:43

🔴 LEGAL ADVICE TO REMAIN SILENT

Mr Amaad confirmed he spoke with a duty solicitor at the station and was advised not to answer questions during his police interview. He told jurors he followed this professional advice ⬇️

12:41

🔴 DEFENDANT SCARED AT POLICE STATION

Answering questions on his state of mind, Mr Amaad said: “I’ve never been in that situation before in my life, I was scared.” He arrived at the police station at 9.45pm that evening ⬇️

12:39

🔴 FORCE USED DESCRIBED AS REASONABLE

The defendant told the jury he believed the force he used during the incident was "reasonable." He maintained he stopped as soon as he felt he no longer had to defend himself or his brother ⬇️

12:37

🔴 CCTV SHOWS KNEE ON NECK

Jurors have been shown a still from CCTV footage depicting an officer with their knee on Mr Amaad's neck. The defendant told the court: "I just couldn't breathe properly" ⬇️

12:34

🔴 STRUGGLING TO TAKE A BREATH

Mr Amaad claimed he felt "huge pressure" on the back of his neck while being held. He told the jury this pressure resulted in him struggling to take a breath during the struggle ⬇️

12:32

🔴 ALLEGED THREATS FROM POLICE OFFICER

The defendant alleged that PC Flanagan told him: "If you move I will smash your f***** face." He claimed this occurred while he was being held on the ground by officers ⬇️

12:30

🔴 HEAVY BLOW TO BACK OF HEAD

Mr Amaad told the court he felt a "heavy blow" to the back of his head during the confrontation. He said he did not know who was responsible for the strike at the time it occurred ⬇️

12:28

🔴 DELIBERATE KICK TO STOMACH AREA

The defendant claimed PC Marsden kicked him in the "stomach and leg" area. He described it as a "pretty strong kick" and alleged that the officer's actions were deliberate ⬇️

12:26

🔴 FULLY COMPLYING ON THE GROUND

Mr Amaad denied trying to obstruct PC Marsden, stating he was on his knees with his hands on his head. He told jurors: "I was fully complying at that point" ⬇️

12:23

🔴 SHOCK AT BROTHER’S CONDITION

The defendant described his shock at seeing his brother, Mr Amaaz, on the floor. He told the jury his brother was not moving and he could not describe the level of concern he felt ⬇️

12:21

🔴 MOTHER SEEN WITH BLEEDING FACE

Mr Amaad told jurors his mother showed him blood coming from her face. He said he did not see her being hit with a Taser but wanted to prevent her from being struck any further ⬇️

12:19

🔴 NEPHEW SEEN CRYING AT SCENE

The court heard Mr Amaad’s nephew was crying during the incident at the pay station. The defendant claimed he just wanted his mother and young relatives away from the situation ⬇️

12:17

🔴 OFFICER FOOT RAISED OVER BROTHER

Mr Amaad described seeing an officer’s foot being "raised and go down" while his brother was on the floor. He claimed Mr Amaaz’s body appeared "stiff" after falling to the ground ⬇️

12:14

🔴 FEARED HE WOULD BE SHOT

The defendant told the court he feared he might be shot after seeing PC Marsden’s gun. He told jurors: "I just thought 'I don't want to die today, I don't want to get shot'" ⬇️

12:12

🔴 HANDS PLACED ON HEAD

After seeing the firearm, Mr Amaad said he raised his arms and put his hands on his head. He claimed he feared what might come next after being punched and Tasered ⬇️

12:10

🔴 LEGS WENT WEAK AFTER TASER

Mr Amaad told the jury his legs went weak after being hit by a Taser. He identified a specific point in CCTV footage where he believes the Taser was fired at him ⬇️

12:08

🔴 DENIES TOUCHING POLICE TASER

The defendant insisted he did not touch PC Marsden’s Taser at any stage, though he noted he may have touched the officer's hand while pushing away ⬇️

12:06

🔴 PUSHED AWAY AFTER SEEING WEAPON

Mr Amaad said he put his hands out to "push away" after seeing something raised towards him. He told the court he had never seen a Taser in person before that day ⬇️

12:03

🔴 BACKED OFF WHEN PUSHING STOPPED

The defendant told his barrister he "backed off straight away" as soon as he felt the pushing and pulling stop. He claimed he did what was necessary to end the situation ⬇️

12:01

🔴 DENIES HOLDING POLICE BODY ARMOUR

Under questioning, Mr Amaad denied holding onto any of the officer's body armour. He maintained his eyes were closed for much of the physical struggle ⬇️

11:59

🔴 DEFENDED SELF AGAINST ATTACK

Asked why he "hit out" at PC Marsden, Mr Amaad said: "I was defending myself at that point." He claimed he had been hit multiple times and felt he had to protect himself ⬇️

11:57

🔴 PULLED AND PUSHED FROM ALL DIRECTIONS

The defendant described being "pulled and pushed from all directions" with his eyes closed. He told jurors he remembered being moved forward during the struggle ⬇️

11:54

🔴 CLAIMED TO BE STRUCK FIVE TIMES

Defence barrister Chloe Gardner claimed her client had been struck five times during the incident. Mr Amaad told the jury he did not have time to think while being hit ⬇️

11:52

🔴 UNABLE TO THINK DURING STRUGGLE

Mr Amaad told the jury that the incident occurred too quickly for him to process. He stated: "It was happening so quick, I didn't really have time to think" ⬇️

11:50

🔴 EYES CLOSED DURING PHYSICAL ALTERCATION

The defendant claimed his eyes were closed as he felt multiple blows. He told jurors he was simply reacting to being hit during the fast-moving confrontation ⬇️

11:47

🔴 DEFENCE CASE CONTINUES FOR AMAAD

Muhammad Amaad is continuing to give evidence regarding the pay station incident. He has described the "pushing and pulling" he felt as police officers intervened ⬇️

11:21

🔴 MULTIPLE BLOWS TO THE FACE

The defendant described feeling a "bang bang bang" a couple of times after his eyes closed. He claimed the physical intervention from the officer left him dazed and unaware of what was happening during the altercation ⬇️

11:18

🔴 DAZED BY POLICE ELBOW STRIKE

Mr Amaad claimed he suffered a "massive smash" to the face from PC Marsden’s elbow. He told jurors he was dazed by the impact and had no idea why he had been struck while his eyes were closed ⬇️

11:15

🔴 DENIED TAMPERING WITH POLICE WEAPON

The defendant denied "moving a Glock forward" or pushing up against PC Marsden. He told the jury he was unaware the officer even had a weapon on his person during the struggle at the pay station ⬇️

11:12

🔴 BROTHER UNABLE TO DEFEND SELF

Under questioning from his barrister, Mr Amaad stated he felt his brother was under attack and unable to defend himself. He denied intending to interfere with an arrest, as no mention of an arrest had been made ⬇️

11:09

🔴 BREATHING ENDANGERED BY NECK GRAB

The court heard Mr Amaad believed PC Marsden was "endangering his brother's ability to breathe" by grabbing his neck. He claimed the officer had one hand on the back and one on the front of Mr Amaaz’s neck ⬇️

11:06

🔴 REPEATED CALLS TO TAKE IT EASY

Mr Amaad told jurors he said the word "easy" five times to the officer. He claimed he was attempting to de-escalate the situation because he thought his brother was being choked by PC Marsden ⬇️

11:03

🔴 OFFICER CONDUCT LABELED OFFENSIVE

The defendant claimed PC Marsden took hold of his brother in a "very aggressive" and "offensive" way. He stated his attempts to speak to the officer had no effect on the level of force being used ⬇️

11:00

🔴 TAKEN ABACK BY SUDDEN GRAB

Mr Amaad described being "taken aback" when PC Marsden and PC Ward grabbed his brother. He told the court his initial reaction was "woah" as the intervention began at the car park pay station ⬇️

10:57

🔴 NO IDENTIFICATION AS POLICE

The defendant told the jury that no one at the pay station identified themselves as police officers. He claimed he did not initially connect the intervention with the earlier incident at Starbucks ⬇️

10:54

🔴 WALLET LEFT IN CAR AT AIRPORT

Mr Amaad explained that he had left his wallet in his vehicle and asked his brother to pay using a phone. He claimed his brother was focused on the machine and did not see the officers arriving ⬇️

10:51

🔴 PRIORITY WAS PROTECTING VULNERABLE FAMILY

The defendant stated he wanted to get his mother, younger brother, and nephew away from the situation. He told jurors the group began walking toward the car park pay station following the Starbucks dispute ⬇️

10:48

🔴 THREATS AT THE STARBUCKS COUNTER

Mr Amaad claimed he saw the passenger's comments as a threat when he allegedly said "five minutes, five minutes." He told the court he believed his brother headbutted the man because he was "in his face" ⬇️

10:45

🔴 AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR FROM PASSENGER

The defendant alleged Mr Ismaeil became "agitated and angry," raising his voice and moving back and forth. He claimed the passenger told his brother, "I'll smash you" and "I'll kill you" ⬇️

10:42

🔴 FIRED DUE TO MEDIA COVERAGE

Mr Amaad claimed he was dismissed from his role as a case manager for Virgin Media in February 2025. He told jurors the company stated the decision was due to the media attention surrounding this case ⬇️

10:39

🔴 WORKED IN VIRGIN MEDIA MANAGEMENT

The court heard Mr Amaad worked as a case manager until early 2025 and had previously served as an assistant manager at KFC for several years. He is 26 and engaged to a student nurse ⬇️

10:36

🔴 FAILED ENTRANCE EXAM FOR POLICE

The defendant revealed he had previously applied to join the police force but failed at the second stage of the process. He told the jury this occurred before his subsequent career in management ⬇️

10:33

🔴 PREVIOUS STOPS DID NOT COLOR VIEW

Mr Amaad described two previous experiences with police involving vehicle searches in Rochdale and Darlington. He told jurors these incidents had not "colored" his general view of the police ⬇️

10:30

🔴 SECOND DEFENDANT GIVES EVIDENCE

Muhammad Amaad has been called to the witness box to give evidence in his defense. He is currently being questioned by his barrister, Chloe Gardner, at Liverpool Crown Court ⬇️

10:27

🔴 TRIAL RESUMES IN LIVERPOOL

Good Morning we are back live in Liverpool Crown Court for 15 day of ​the Manchester Airport attack retrial, the retrial has resumed for the morning session. The jury has been seated and the defense is beginning to present evidence from the second defendant ⬇️