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Prosecutors Urge Jurors to Focus on Main Incident

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Prosecutors have urged jurors to concentrate on the main incident involving a police officer's kick and stamp during a confrontation with two brothers at Manchester Airport. The incident on July 23 last year was captured on mobile phone footage and went viral on social media. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court accused of assaulting three police officers and a member of public before being felled by a Taser strike.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the jury to focus on the violence used by the defendants, rather than being distracted by the aftermath of the incident.
  • The Crown argues that the defendants' use of force was excessive and that they resisted arrest, while the defence claims that they acted in self-defence.
  • Pc Zachary Marsden, Pc Lydia Ward, and Pc Ellie Cook testified that they were acting professionally and followed procedure when they tried to move Amaaz from the paystation area.
  • Amaaz is accused of assaulting the three police officers, causing them actual bodily harm, while Amaad is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm.
  • The defence claims that Amaaz did not know that Pc Ward and Pc Cook were women when they struck them, but the Crown argues that this is a "barefaced lie".
  • Mr Greaney said that Amaad had "no legitimate reason to seek to prevent the officers from carrying out their duty, particularly in the circumstances where it must have been obvious his brother was resisting arrest".

Statistics:

  • The incident occurred on July 23 last year.
  • The mobile phone footage of the incident went viral on social media.
  • Pc Ward suffered a broken nose as she was floored by a punch to the face.
  • Pc Cook was knocked to the ground by a number of elbows and punches.
  • Both defendants are from Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Sources:

  • Paul Greaney KC, closing speech, Liverpool Crown Court.
  • The Guardian, "Manchester Airport police officers testify about confrontation with brothers", July 2022.
  • PA Wire, "Manchester Airport police officers testify about confrontation with brothers".
  • BBC News, "Manchester Airport police officers testify about confrontation with brothers", July 2022.

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