Manchester Airport Officers, Brothers Face Assault Trial After July Brawl

PC Zachary Marsden, an authorised firearms officer with Greater Manchester Police, testified at Liverpool Crown Court that he acted professionally during an incident at Manchester Airport involving brothers Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad. The confrontation began after Mohammed allegedly headbutted a customer in a Starbucks cafe, prompting police intervention. During an attempted arrest at the Terminal 2 pay station, a brawl ensued, which was captured on CCTV and showed use of force by both the officers and the brothers. Defence counsel Imran Khan KC argued that PC Marsden's actions fell below professional standards and involved unlawful and disproportionate force, including Marsden kicking Mohammed Amaaz in the head. Marsden denied using unlawful force and maintained he was acting within the law, while the brothers asserted they acted in self-defense. The trial focuses on whether the police conduct was justified or excessive during the arrest attempt.