Full Breakdown
Jury Discharged After Failing to Reach Verdict in Manchester Airport Assault Retrial
5/21/2026, 6:34:37 AM
Retrial Ends Without Verdict
On 20 May 2024, a retrial at Liverpool Crown Court involving two Rochdale brothers—Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26—ended when the jury was discharged after nearly 20 hours of deliberation without reaching a verdict on the charge of assaulting armed police officer PC Zachary Marsden at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 pay-station on 23 July 2024.
Background to the Airport Incident
The confrontation began in a Starbucks where Amaaz allegedly struck passenger Abdulkareem Ismaeil after a dispute over alleged racial abuse of their mother on a flight from Pakistan. The brothers later confronted police at the pay-station, leading to an altercation in which PC Marsden sustained actual bodily harm. Amaaz had previously been convicted of assaulting Ismaeil and two female officers, PC Ellie Cook and PC Lydia Ward.
Main Parties
The accused are Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad. The alleged victim is PC Zachary Marsden of Greater Manchester Police. Judge Neil Flewitt KC presided. The Crown Prosecution Service must decide on a possible third trial. Solicitor Aamer Anwar represented the brothers.
Trial Details and Jury Deliberation
Jurors were told a majority verdict was possible. After 19 hours 48 minutes of deliberation, the jury was discharged, the third jury in this case to fail to reach a decision. The judge stressed the outcome did not reflect on jurors personally.
Official Reactions
Greater Manchester Police said it was disappointed no verdict was reached but affirmed respect for the court process and pledged support for the officers. Judge Flewitt noted the CPS would now consider whether to request a further trial, calling such a step “unusual but not unknown.” The CPS has until 29 May to decide.
Defense Claims
The brothers claimed lawful self-defence. Amaaz said he feared death when PC Marsden grabbed his neck; Amaad said he raised his hands on seeing the officer’s gun, fearing he might be shot.
Conflicting Details
Sources differ on the jury’s deliberation length—described as “nearly 20 hours,” “around 19 hours 48 minutes,” and “19 hours 48 minutes.” Reports of PC Marsden’s injuries also vary, from a post-concussion syndrome to specific symptoms such as severe headache, dizziness and speech difficulty.
Verbatim Quotes
- “While we are disappointed a verdict could not be reached today, we respect the outcome of the court process.” — Greater Manchester Police spokesperson
- “Judge Flewitt told jurors: "You are, as I'm sure you're aware, not the first jury to consider the case.” — Judge Neil Flewitt KC
- “I don't want you to feel in any way you have failed.” — Judge Neil Flewitt KC
- “I was thinking, ‘why is this guy using so much force?’” — Mohammed Fahir Amaaz
- “I just thought 'I don't want to die today, I don't want to get shot',” — Muhammad Amaad
Next Steps
The court will reconvene on 29 May for the CPS to decide whether a third trial will be pursued. A further trial would be unusual but remains a legal possibility.
