Manchester Airport Attacker's Sentence Reduction Bid Rejected

The Court of Appeal has rejected an attempt by Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, to reduce his three-and-a-half-year sentence for assaulting two female police officers at Manchester Airport.

Amaaz was convicted in 2025 of common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm against Sgt Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook. His appeal argued that the sentence was 'wrong in principle and resulted in a sentence that was manifestly excessive'.

The incident occurred on July 23, 2024, at Manchester Airport's Terminal Two pay station. Amaaz had previously assaulted a holidaymaker, whom he accused of racial abuse. When Sgt Ward (then a constable) and her colleagues attempted to arrest Amaaz, he resisted. Amaaz then punched Sgt Ward in the face, breaking her nose, and subsequently knocked PC Cook to the ground with a series of blows.

Amaaz's brother, Muhammed Amaad, also became involved, overpowering PC Zachary Marsden. PC Cook eventually subdued Amaaz by deploying her Taser.

After a four-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Amaaz was found guilty of assaulting Sgt Ward and PC Cook. However, a jury could not reach a verdict on charges related to PC Marsden.

During the appeal, Amaaz's legal representative argued that the assaults occurred during an 'unlawful detention' and should have been treated as excessive self-defence. This argument was rejected by the judges.

Mr Justice Bryan, alongside Lord Justice Jeremy Baker and Mr Justice Dexter Dias, stated that video footage clearly showed Amaaz inflicting "unprovoked violence against PC Ward and PC Cook."

In a statement to the court, Sgt Ward described how Amaaz had "changed" her face and criticized him for portraying himself as a victim. She detailed the lasting physical and mental trauma caused by the attack, emphasizing her resilience: "You used me as a punch bag, but I will get back up and I will show you how strong I am."

PC Cook reported feeling "broken" by the assault, which has put her career aspirations on hold.