MANCHESTER, UK — A man has been jailed for three and a half years after a violent incident at Manchester Airport in which he attacked two police officers during an arrest that followed an earlier assault inside a café.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, from Rochdale, was sentenced at court after being found guilty of assaulting a member of the public and two officers from Greater Manchester Police.
How the incident started
The court heard the disturbance began inside a Starbucks outlet at Manchester Airport, where Amaaz headbutted a man during an altercation. The reason for the initial confrontation was not fully detailed in the sentencing summary, but witnesses reported a sudden escalation inside the busy café area.
Police were called to the scene shortly after the incident.
Attack on officers during arrest
When officers attempted to detain him, the situation escalated further. Prosecutors said Amaaz resisted arrest and became physically aggressive towards responding officers.
During the struggle, he punched two female police officers, PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook. One of the officers suffered a broken nose, while both required medical attention following the assault.
The incident took place in a public area of the airport, causing disruption and concern among travellers and staff.
Court findings and evidence
The court was shown evidence, including CCTV footage from the airport. The footage helped establish the sequence of events, showing the initial assault in the café and the subsequent confrontation with police.
Amaaz was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a member of the public and assaulting emergency workers in the course of their duty.
Public reaction and footage online
Video of the arrest circulated widely on social media, initially prompting debate and speculation about police conduct. However, the court process clarified that the officers were responding to an earlier assault and were themselves victims of violence during the arrest.
Sentencing
The judge handed down a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, stating that the attack on emergency workers was serious and aggravated by the setting of a busy international airport and the risk posed to both staff and members of the public.
