Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport in July 2024. The attack, which was captured on CCTV and went viral, prompted widespread condemnation on social media.
Details of the assault
The incident occurred on July 23, 2024, after Amaaz and his older brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, picked up their mother from a flight. Amaaz headbutted a man named Abdulkareem Ismaeil at a Starbucks in the terminal. Police were called and found the brothers at a Terminal 2 car park pay station.
CCTV footage showed Amaaz throwing 10 punches, two elbow strikes, and one kick, while his brother threw six punches. The brothers claimed they acted in self-defence.
Conviction and sentencing
Amaaz was found guilty of assaulting Mr Ismaeil by beating; assaulting PC Lydia Ward, occasioning her actual bodily harm; and assaulting an emergency worker, PC Ellie Cook, by beating. Jurors could not agree on a verdict for assaulting another armed officer, PC Zachary Marsden, occasioning him actual bodily harm. Amaaz and his brother were found not guilty after prosecutors ruled out a third trial.
On Friday, June 26, 2026, Judge Flewitt sentenced Amaaz to three years and six months in prison, criticising his 'total lack of remorse'. The judge stated: 'It would have been open to you, having seen the CCTV, to say there was no justification for your attack on Ismaeil, PC Ward and PC Cook. Instead, you sought to blame others for what was your responsibility and portray yourself as the victim. That does not bode well for your rehabilitation.'
Police reaction
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson QPM said: 'This incident began after a man was headbutted in a public place in front of his family. Our officers were responding quickly to precisely the sort of outrageous criminal behaviour that rightly offends the public. In undertaking their duties, officers were met with resistance and violence; followed by online vilification, condemnation and adverse commentary from those who did not have the full facts.'
He added: 'It is vital that officers get the respect and support they deserve for routinely putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public. Assaults on police officers are sadly all too common – 35 of my officers are assaulted every week across GM – and such incidents can never be justified.'
Ongoing investigation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the conduct of officers during the incident. Sir Stephen confirmed the force is cooperating fully with the investigation.
