A 21-year-old man, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport. Amaaz punched PC Lydia Ward, causing her to fall and break her nose, as well as assaulting PC Ellie Cook by throwing punches, elbow strikes, and a kick on July 23, 2024.
During the incident at Terminal 2, Amaaz also headbutted a man named Abdulkareem Ismaeil. In court, Sgt Ward described the attack as “utterly terrifying and cowardly,” expressing her fear and the impact it had on her, including physical and emotional trauma.
PC Cook, a firearms officer at the airport, stated that her life has been forever changed by the assault, leading to significant physical and mental health challenges. She criticized Amaaz for his lack of remorse and the lasting effects of the attack on her well-being, including having to give up her role as a firearms officer.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC highlighted the severity of the assault on PC Cook and the potential escalation of violence if not for her using a Taser in self-defense. The attacks occurred in front of children, causing distress among witnesses.
Imran Khan KC, representing Amaaz, mentioned his client’s background in a family with police officers and emphasized his previous good deeds and caring nature. Amaaz’s family members described him as supportive and charitable, with no prior criminal record.
The defense argued that Amaaz acted impulsively to protect his mother, reacting to what he perceived as unlawful force. Despite the convictions related to the assaults, Amaaz’s supporters believe the incident was out of character and stress the potential for rehabilitation.
Although Amaaz’s brother faced similar charges, the court did not reach a verdict in his case. The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue further legal action against him. The incident remains under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.