Airport attack accused denies force was unlawful

Muhammad Amaad is alleged to have used a "high level of violence" against PC Zachary Marsden

A man accused of assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport has denied his use of force was unlawful.

Muhammad Amaad, 26, is alleged to have used a "high level of violence" against PC Zachary Marsden after he and two female colleagues tried to arrest his brother Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, who is also accused of assaulting three officers.

The Greater Manchester Police officers entered the Terminal 2 car park pay station after reports that a male fitting Amaaz's description had headbutted a member of the public inside the airport just minutes before on 23 July 2024.

Both men, from Rochdale, deny the allegations and are on trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Prosecutors say Amaad took hold of PC Marsden's right arm as the officer restrained Amaaz and then grabbed PC Marsden by the throat and neck.

They said he went on to push the officer back and down on to a nearby seated area before he punched him six times.

Cross-examining, junior counsel Adam Birkby asked Amaaz: "The prosecution's case is that during the incident at the pay station your use of force was offensive. It was not defensive. Do you agree or disagree?"

Amaad said: "I disagree."

Mr Birkby said: "And that level of force, in particular the six punches, was unreasonable."

"No, I disagree," said the defendant.

Mr Birkby said: "And your use of force was unlawful."

Amaad said: "I disagree."

When Amaad was asked whether he would change anything about his behaviour, he said: "No".

'Self-defence'

Muhammad Amaad has told the jury that he initially sought to defend his younger brother, who he thought was being choked by PC Marsden.

He said he then acted in self-defence to free himself from the grip of PC Marsden, who he said punched him first.

His barrister Chloe Gardner asked: "Did you believe you were under attack?"

Amaad said: "Absolutely."

Amaad is alleged to have assaulted PC Marsden, causing actual bodily harm.

Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted PC Marsden and PC Lydia Ward, causing them actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of the assault of emergency worker PC Ellie Cook, and the earlier assault of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at a Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals.

The trial continues.