Police Officer's Conduct Under Scrutiny in High-Profile Assault Trial

A police firearms officer, Pc Zachary Marsden, testified in court that his behavior on the day of the alleged assault was "professional" when confronted by two brothers, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad, at Manchester Airport last July. The incident occurred after Amaaz allegedly headbutted a customer at a Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2, prompting police to respond. The Crown alleges that Amaaz and his brother subjected the three officers to a "high level of violence" during the arrest attempt.

Key Takeaways:

• Pc Marsden has served Greater Manchester Police for about five years, having previously worked as a special constable with Lancashire Constabulary.
• The officer was working as an authorised firearms officer at the airport since April 2023.
• Pc Marsden claimed that his plan was to escort the suspect from the crowd in the paystation area and to arrest him outside where he would have radio signal and a "line of sight" of his colleagues.
• The officer believed that announcing his presence as a police officer as he entered the area would not have been a safe option, based on his policing experience.
• Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden and another officer, causing actual bodily harm, and also assaulted a third officer and an earlier victim.
• Both Amaaz and his brother deny the allegations against them.

Statistics:

• Pc Marsden has about 5 years of service with Greater Manchester Police.
• The officer has worked as a special constable with Lancashire Constabulary before joining the regular police force.
• The incident occurred on July 23 last year at Manchester Airport.
• Amaaz allegedly headbutted a customer at a Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2 before the police were called.
• The police officers were subjected to a "high level of violence" during the arrest attempt, according to the Crown.

Sources:

• Liverpool Crown Court
• Lancashire Constabulary
• Greater Manchester Police
• PA Wire