Rochdale man, 20, found guilty of assaulting police officers and the public at Manchester Airport

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A man from Rochdale has been found guilty of assaulting a man and two female police officers at Manchester Airport last year.

20-year-old Mohammed Fahir Amaaz has been convicted of common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm following a four-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court in relation to a high-profile incident that took place at Manchester Airport on 23 July 2024.

The first attack on the member of public – of which extensive footage of was shared with the court over the course of the trail – took place in a largely public area of the Airport, but despite claims made to the contrary, Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) investigation found no evidence of any ‘prior threatening’ or ‘unacceptable behaviour’ by the victim aimed towards Amaaz or his family.

Three GMP officers – one male and two female – responded to the initial assault, and as they proceeded to detain and arrest Amaaz at the Terminal 2 car park pay station for assault, they suffered a number of injuries – such as concussion, a broken nose, and bruising and swelling.

CCTV played to the jury during the trail showed Amaaz throwing 10 punches, two ‘elbow strikes’, and one kick in what was described as a ‘prolonged and violent’ attack.

An investigation, led by a team from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, was subsequently launched following the incident.

Police were said to have worked ‘diligently and expediently’ through all the moving footage, including CCTV and body worn camera recordings, complemented by the testimonies of witnesses to the incident, which allowed them to present a clear and accurate picture of the facts of the events to the jury.

A jury convicted Amaaz of assaults on the two female officers, but a decision is still inconclusive regarding the incident with the male police officer.

GMP now says it will be working with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in support of a re-trial for these inconclusive counts.

A CCTV image of the brawl in action / Credit: CPS

“Whilst assaults on police officers are sadly not uncommon, such attacks can never be justified,” commented Sir Stephen Watson, who is the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, following the trial.

“Our officers are decent people who routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, and they deserve our respect and support.

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“I am particularly grateful to those many members of the public who have contacted the force in order to pass on their best wishes to the officers affected.”

Featured Image – GMP