Manchester Airport Brawl: Police Officer Denies Losing Control Amid Assault Allegations

In a gripping courtroom drama unfolding at Liverpool Crown Court, a Greater Manchester Police officer has vehemently denied losing control during an incident at Manchester Airport last year. The officer, PC Zachary Marsden, is at the center of allegations stemming from a reported assault at the Terminal 2 arrivals Starbucks on July 23rd, which allegedly escalated into a physical altercation involving two brothers, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 26.

The confrontation reportedly began when Mr. Amaaz allegedly headbutted a customer inside the popular coffee chain. As police were called to the scene, the situation intensified, leading to the eventual arrest of Mr. Amaaz in the terminal car park. During this arrest, a photograph was presented to the jury, showing injuries sustained by the defendants’ mother, Mrs. Akhtar, to her face. PC Marsden stated that it remained “unclear” whether his actions were directly responsible for her injuries, a point that has become a focal point of the defense’s cross-examination.

Imran Khan KC, representing Mr. Amaaz, pressed PC Marsden on his conduct, suggesting that the Taser he was holding may have caused Mrs. Akhtar’s injuries as she attended to her son. PC Marsden confirmed he did make contact with Mrs. Akhtar, stating she had grabbed his leg and pulled his hand as he attempted to remove her grip. He explained that he felt this action was justified given the circumstances, as he was being pulled over Mr. Amaaz and risked falling, leaving him vulnerable.

“She was concerned for Mr. Amaaz. She was not a threat. She was not interfering with anything you were doing and this was conduct, I suggest, where you have lost control,” Mr. Khan asserted. PC Marsden firmly denied this suggestion, maintaining that his actions were appropriate given the volatile situation.

‘Beyond reasoning’

Further complicating the narrative, mobile phone footage was shown to the jury depicting PC Marsden deploying Pava spray on a bystander. The officer explained that he felt compelled to use the spray because the events had escalated “beyond verbal reasoning.” He stated that the bystander was effectively “shielding” another individual whom officers intended to detain for obstructing their duties.

Mr. Khan questioned the officer’s decision to grab the bystander by the neck and pull him to the floor after the Pava spray deployment. PC Marsden responded by describing the moment as one of intense fear, stating, “Immediately prior, I had been subjected to the most violent assault of my life. I was now terrified that we are on the tipping point of another volatile situation. They were complicit in watching us being violently assaulted.” He further elaborated that he used “pre-emptive force” due to his pain, exhaustion, and the desire to effect an arrest, and expressed concern that the bystander might become “combative,” potentially leading to another violent confrontation.

Mr. Amaaz faces multiple charges, including the alleged assault of PC Marsden and PC Lydia Ward, both causing actual bodily harm. He is also accused of assaulting PC Ellie Cook and the earlier Starbucks incident involving Abdulkareem Ismaeil. Mr. Amaad is similarly charged with assaulting PC Marsden, causing actual bodily harm.

Both brothers, who hail from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial continues as the court weighs the evidence and testimonies presented in this complex case of alleged airport disorder and police conduct.