Manchester Airport Attack: Mohammed Fahir Amaaz Faces Sentencing Over Violent Officer Assaults

🔴 COURT TOLD TO IGNORE EXTREME ONLINE THREATS

The KC noted Amaaz could rebuild his future with a short prison sentence. He referenced social media posts calling for extreme punishments including "the birch" and "the noose" but told the judge to apply the law ⬇️

🔴 DEFENCE ARGUES STRONG REHABILITATION PROSPECT

Imran Khan KC argued Amaaz has "exemplary good character" and noted his charitable work in Pakistan. He told the court probation reports indicate a strong prospect of rehabilitation supported by close family ties ⬇️

🔴 DEFENCE DISPUTES VICTIM IMPACT FACTORS

Mr Khan KC stated the mobile phone in Amaaz's hand was there "by happenstance" and not used as a weapon. He argued victim impact statements should not lengthen the sentence as no medical evidence was provided ⬇️

🔴 BARRISTER REPEATS SELF-DEFENCE NARRATIVE

Imran Khan KC reminded the judge that Amaaz has consistently maintained he acted to defend himself and his older brother. The defence asserts the 21-year-old believed he was responding to unlawful force from officers ⬇️

🔴 DEFENDANT CONFRONTED VICTIM TO RIGHT WRONGS

The defence said character references portray an empathetic individual who wanted to "right wrongs". Mr Khan KC suggested his client was perhaps not thinking of the consequences when confronting Mr Ismaeil ⬇️

🔴 MITIGATION HIGHLIGHTS POLICE RELATIVES

Opening mitigation, Imran Khan KC noted the defendant's large family includes serving police officers. He argued the offences were not premeditated and that Amaaz is a caring young man whose instinct is to protect ⬇️

🔴 POWERFUL HEADBUTT DELIVERED IN STARBUCKS

Turning to the initial Starbucks assault, Mr Greaney KC described a "powerful headbutt" and two punches thrown at Abdulkareem Ismaeil. The prosecutor noted the victim's children were left visibly distressed ⬇️

🔴 PUBLIC AIRPORT SETTING INCREASES SERIOUSNESS

The prosecution told the judge the assaults took place in full public view and around children inside an international airport. Paul Greaney KC argued these circumstances significantly add to the seriousness ⬇️

🔴 TASER DEPLOYMENT HALTED CONTINUED VIOLENCE

Paul Greaney KC informed the court that Amaaz delivered multiple blows to PC Ellie Cook, with six punches landing in total. He submitted the violence would have continued had the officer not deployed her Taser ⬇️

🔴 OFFICER HOPES ASSAULT HAUNTS DEFENDANT

Closing her statement, PC Cook told Amaaz she hopes her words stay with him for life. "I hope you have flashbacks of what I am saying the way I have flashbacks of that day. I hope you never forget, because I know I won’t" ⬇️

🔴 FAMILY LEFT LIVING IN FEAR OF REPRISALS

PC Cook explained the consequences extended well beyond her own physical injuries. She told the court her mother had lost weight, struggled to sleep and lived in constant fear that someone would come to their home ⬇️

🔴 VIOLENCE ENDS SPECIALIST FIREARMS CAREER

PC Cook told the court she decided to leave the firearms unit due to the trauma suffered during the attack. She stated her long-held ambition of becoming a specialist close protection officer may never be realised ⬇️

🔴 PUBLICITY FORCED OFFICER TO MOVE HOME

The court heard PC Cook feels "trapped" by the aftermath of the widely publicised case. With her identity exposed online, the officer had to move house for safety reasons while struggling with ongoing public attention ⬇️

🔴 JAW INJURIES PREVENTED NORMAL EATING

PC Cook detailed suffering duty-related trauma and significant weight loss due to jaw injuries that left her unable to eat properly. She continues to experience severe headaches, jaw pain and sleep difficulties ⬇️

🔴 OFFICER LEFT EMOTIONALLY BROKEN BY ASSAULT

Paul Greaney KC stood to read a powerful victim impact statement on behalf of PC Ellie Cook. The officer told the court she was left physically injured and emotionally "broken" after being repeatedly punched by Amaaz ⬇️

🔴 PERMANENT SCAR PROMPTS SEVERE FEAR OF MEN

Sgt Ward told the defendant directly: "You are not the victim — I am." She explained the lasting facial injuries required an operation and that she had to leave her home and developed a severe distrust of men ⬇️

🔴 OFFICER BLINDSIDED WITH NO WARNING

Sgt Ward told the court she was completely blindsided as the attack came with no warning. She stated she was petrified and confused, initially believing officers were only there to speak about the earlier Starbucks incident ⬇️

🔴 DEFENDANT TARGETED SMALL FEMALE OFFICER

Sgt Lydia Ward delivered a powerful statement detailing how Amaaz chose to strike a "5ft 2ins, 8-stone female" without hesitation. She told the court she believed "this is it" as she hit the ground with a broken nose ⬇️

🔴 TREMBLING OFFICER SAYS SHE WAS HIS PUNCHBAG

Sgt Lydia Ward gave evidence from the witness box with her voice trembling. She stated she was "petrified" during the "cowardly" attack, adding she was his "punchbag" and the facial scar will forever remind her of it ⬇️

🔴 PROSECUTION BYPASSES DETAILED CASE FACTS

Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC confirmed Amaaz was convicted of three offences. He noted the judge is already "extremely familiar" with the evidence so he will not set out the facts in detail for the sentencing ⬇️

🔴 AMAAZ APPEARS VIA PRISON VIDEO LINK

The sentencing hearing is underway following a brief delay. Judge Neil Flewitt KC has taken his seat, with Mohammed Fahir Amaaz appearing from prison via videolink as his family and legal teams watch on ⬇️