Mohammed Amaaz Tells Liverpool Crown Court He Feared Death in Manchester Airport Arrest

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, told Liverpool Crown Court he feared for his life when firearms officer PC Zachary Marsden allegedly forced his head to the ground during an arrest at Manchester Airport in July 2024. Amaaz, along with his brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, faces charges of assaulting PC Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. Both deny the charges.

Police officers approached Amaaz at Terminal 2 to arrest him following reports he had headbutted a customer. Prosecutors allege Amaaz resisted, and Amaad intervened, leading to both men assaulting PC Marsden.

Amaaz testified that he tensed as he was grabbed, stating he was immediately pushed into a pay station machine with PC Marsden's hand on his head and neck. He expressed concern about the force used, fearing he would be beaten to death. Amaaz recounted hearing his brother shout 'Easy, easy, easy' before seeing him 'getting smashed in the face by two police officers'.

When questioned by his barrister, Imran Khan KC, about fearing a police officer, Amaaz responded: "It's not like these things have not happened before when a police officer abuses their powers and, as a result, people have died." He added, "Yes, I actually thought I am going to be one of those people that day."

Last year, Amaaz was convicted of assaulting two other officers, PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook, in the same incident. PC Ward sustained a broken nose, and PC Cook was knocked over a baggage trolley. Amaaz asserted he acted in self-defence, claiming he did not realise his "attackers" were female and that the events unfolded too rapidly to process details. He stated he struck PC Ward after feeling a punch to his throat and hit PC Cook until she was "no longer a threat".

Amaaz also recounted punching PC Marsden, believing the officer was aiming a gun at his brother, not realising it was a Taser. Seconds later, PC Cook discharged her Taser, causing Amaaz to fall. Amaaz alleged that while on the ground, PC Marsden kicked him in the face and brought his foot down in a stamping motion. Amaaz stated he became unconscious instantly, later recalling the stamp pushing him downwards, which he believes 'woke me back up'.

The trial continues.