Manchester Airport Assailant Found Guilty in Violent Confrontation with Police

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A man involved in a violent altercation with officers at Manchester Airport has been found guilty of multiple assaults, including attacks on police officers and a member of the public. The chaotic scenes, which were captured on surveillance footage, sparked widespread protests across parts of Greater Manchester and Rochdale last summer.

Amaaz Hussain was convicted of assaulting Police Constable (PC) Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook, as well as striking passenger Abdulkareem Ismaeil inside a Starbucks café at Terminal 2. The violent encounter began after an earlier altercation in the airport led officers to intervene in the car park area. CCTV footage showed Hussain headbutting Ismaeil before delivering a series of punches, igniting a confrontation that escalated rapidly.

During the incident, officers PC Zachary Marsden, PC Cook, and PC Ward attempted to detain the suspect near a payment machine. Hussain resisted arrest, reportedly throwing ten punches, including one that caused PC Ward to fall to the ground with visible facial injuries. He also elbowed PC Cook on two separate occasions during the struggle. The brutality of the attack prompted immediate public outcry when footage of the arrest circulated online, leading to demonstrations across the region.

Hussain’s brother, Amaad, was also involved in the confrontation, and both siblings faced multiple charges, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm against PC Marsden. However, jurors were unable to reach a verdict on that specific charge. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has since confirmed that it will pursue a retrial on that count.

The case drew significant attention after claims emerged from the brothers alleging misconduct by the officers, including excessive force. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) became the subject of scrutiny when footage appeared to show PC Marsden allegedly kicking Hussain during the arrest. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened investigations into the conduct of the officers, though the trials later revealed the initial aggression had come from the Hussain brothers.

Originally represented by high-profile solicitor Akhmed Yakoob, known for his presence on social media platform TikTok, the brothers later parted ways with legal counsel after additional evidence came to light that contradicted their claims of victimhood.

The conviction of Amaaz Hussain serves as a reminder of the increasing risks faced by frontline officers and the importance of balanced, factual assessments when incidents arise. The situation also underscores the need for swift transparency when law enforcement conduct is called into question, ensuring that justice is pursued through proper legal channels rather than being shaped by viral footage and online speculation.