Manchester Airport trial jurors told stamp and kick a 'distraction'

Manchester Airport trial jurors told stamp and kick a 'distraction'

Prosecutors at Liverpool Crown Court have urged jurors to focus on the violent actions of the defendants in an altercation at Manchester Airport, rather than being distracted by the subsequent events that unfolded. 26-year-old Muhammad Amaad and 20-year-old Mohammed Fahir Amaaz are facing charges of assaulting three police officers after an incident that took place on July 23, 2024. The altercation began when the officers attempted to arrest Amaaz following reports that he had assaulted a member of the public inside the airport.

During the trial, prosecutors claimed that Amaaz resisted arrest and his brother, Amaad, intervened, leading to a high level of violence against the officers. Both defendants, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations and argue that they were acting in self-defense or in defense of each other. Amaaz is specifically accused of assaulting the officers and causing bodily harm. Additionally, he is also facing charges related to an assault on an emergency worker and another separate assault on a member of the public at a Starbucks cafe.

According to prosecutor Paul Greaney KC, it is crucial for the jury to concentrate on the violence perpetrated by the defendants and avoid being swayed by what followed afterwards. Greaney emphasized the need for the jury to assess the evidence presented and not be sidetracked by attempts to complicate the case. He highlighted discrepancies in the defendants’ claims, including Amaaz’s assertion that he did not realize the officers were women when he struck them, labeling it as a “barefaced lie.”

Greaney also challenged Amaad’s actions, stating that he had no legitimate reason to impede the officers from carrying out their duties, particularly when his brother was resisting arrest. The prosecution emphasized that the officers were acting within the boundaries of their legal obligations, while the defendants’ actions were unjustifiable. The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected to provide clarity on the events that unfolded at the airport

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