A police sergeant who suffered a broken nose and lasting trauma from an unprovoked airport assault has branded her attacker a "coward" and accused him of showing no remorse. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, was sentenced for punching Sergeant Lydia Ward in the face during a brawl at Manchester Airport in July 2024.
"You used me as a punch bag," Sgt Ward told Amaaz directly in court. "But I will get back up and I will show you how strong I am." She criticized Amaaz for portraying himself as a victim when misleading footage of the incident went viral, stating he "allowed the public to feel sorry for you." Sgt Ward, who was a constable at the time of the attack, also revealed the emotional toll of having to bring her newborn child to court while she testified, noting that a courtroom is "no place for a baby."
The Incident and Aftermath
The confrontation began after Amaaz headbutted a Kuwaiti holidaymaker he accused of racially abusing his mother. Sgt Ward and two colleagues apprehended Amaaz as he was paying for parking. Amaaz resisted arrest, and both he and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, began assaulting the officers. Amaaz punched Sgt Ward, causing her to fall to the ground with a broken nose, and also repeatedly struck Constable Ellie Cook. Amaad overpowered another officer, Constable Zachary Marsden, before Amaaz joined in the assault.
PC Cook deployed her Taser on Amaaz to end the attack. Amid the confusion, PC Marsden kicked Amaaz. Footage of this kick was filmed by onlookers and circulated online, leading to protests and accusations of police racism and a "two-tier justice" system. However, leaked CCTV footage later revealed the violence inflicted upon the officers just moments before. It took 150 days for prosecutors to announce that PC Marsden would not face charges.
Trials and Convictions
Amaaz and Amaad were charged with assaulting the three officers. A trial last year showed bodycam footage of the violence. Amaaz was convicted of causing actual bodily harm to Sgt Ward and assaulting PC Cook, as well as assaulting the initial holidaymaker. However, juries could not reach verdicts on charges related to assaults on PC Marsden. Amaaz denied knowing the two officers he punched were female, stating he had "nothing but love and respect for women."
A second trial for charges related to PC Marsden also resulted in hung juries. Prosecutors later announced they would not seek a third trial for either brother in relation to PC Marsden. PC Marsden remains under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Impact on the Officers
In her victim impact statement, Sgt Ward described how Amaaz "changed my face" and detailed the ongoing physical and mental trauma. She noted a scar and a lump on her brow and continues to struggle with the lasting visual difference. She also expressed fear for the women in Amaaz's life, questioning what he is capable of if he could assault a female police officer.
PC Cook, who was also punched multiple times by Amaaz, described feeling "broken" and having her dreams of becoming a close protection officer put on hold. She stated that the attack left her disoriented and in excruciating pain, with her vision going black. Seven months after the incident, she was signed off work with trauma and no longer works as a firearms officer. PC Cook also expressed hurt that Amaaz "chose to spin the narrative" instead of taking responsibility.
Despite the convictions, the case has been marked by controversy, including allegations of police misconduct and public debate surrounding the handling of the charges against both the Amaaz brothers and PC Marsden. The brothers' lawyer has accused PC Marsden of excessive force and called for him to be investigated. The Amaaz family includes several current or former police officers. Another officer involved in confronting bystanders and potentially leaking CCTV footage is also under investigation by the IOPC.