Man tells court he struck firearms officer at Manchester Airport because he felt 'under attack' and was trying to defend his brother from police 'aggression'

By JAMES TOZER, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT and KIM PILLING Published: 18:45, 5 May 2026 | Updated: 18:45, 5 May 2026 A man struck a firearms officer at Manchester Airport because he believed he and his brother were 'under attack', he told a jury today. Muhammad Amaad, 26, said he had to 'defend himself' following PC Zachary Marsden's 'aggression' towards his younger brother. Amaad and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, are alleged to have unlawfully used a 'high level of violence' against police at the car park pay station area in July 2024. Pc Marsden, 26, along with colleagues Pc Lydia Ward and Pc Ellie Cook, had approached Amaaz to arrest him after a report he had headbutted a customer at the Starbucks café in the arrivals hall. But instead, Amaaz lashed out at both policewomen, a jury at Liverpool Crown Court has been told, before Amaad allegedly punched PC Marsden repeatedly. Both brothers were then Tasered before footage shows PC Marsden kicking Amaaz in the face and aiming a stamp close by.  Giving evidence on Tuesday, Amaad said he saw the officers enter the pay station, but that nothing was said by them as Amaaz was initially grabbed by the arms. Amaad said PC Marsden then took hold of his brother around the head and neck area and he said to the officers 'easy, easy, easy…no, no'. Muhammad Amaad, 26, (left) told jurors that police officers including PC Zachary Marsden (pictured in glasses) said nothing as they grabbed his brother Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, (right) by the arms at a pay station at Manchester Airport in July 2024 Amaad (top right) admitted that he hit out at PC Marsden after he took hold of his brother, but said he 'backed off straightaway when the pushing and pulling stopped' Amaad grabbed hold of PC Marsden's body armour and forced him towards a seating area where he punched him in the head, the court has heard He told the court: 'I was trying to de-escalate the situation. I thought he was being choked.' His barrister Chloe Gardner said: 'Did you feel that Fahir was under attack?' Amaad said: 'Yes. I didn't understand the need for the aggression.' Ms Gardner said: 'At that point did you think that Fahir was able to defend himself?' Amaad said: 'No. I put my hand under Pc Marsden's arm and then just remember a massive smash to my face.  'I was just dazed as to what happened.' Ms Gardner said: 'What did PC Marsden do immediately after?' Amaad said: 'I was still feeling hits. Bang, bang, bang.' Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21 (left), and 26-year-old Muhammad Amaad pictured last year  Muhammad Amaad, 26, denies assaulting PC Marsden causing him actual bodily harm, claiming he was acting in self-defence Ms Gardner said: 'Did you feel under attack?' Amaad said: 'Yes. It was happening so quickly. 'At that point I have to defend myself. It was not stopping.  'I was being pushed and pulled from all directions. I couldn't release myself and get away.' He said he hit out at PC Marsden but 'backed off straightaway when the pushing and pulling stopped'. The court heard PC Marsden then fired his Taser at Amaad who said he felt a 'sharp pain' to his chest and his legs 'going weak'. He recalled noticing that PC Marsden was carrying a gun. He said: 'I put my hands up. I didn't want to die. I didn't want to get shot.' Amaad told the jury that he considered the force he used was 'reasonable'.   Amaaz was last year convicted of assaulting the passenger and the female officers, the jury has been told. PC Ward sustained a broken nose as she was floored by a punch from Amaaz, while another blow knocked PC Cook over a baggage trolley. He and Amaad are now on trial accused of causing actual bodily harm to PC Marsden. The brothers, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, have both pleaded not guilty. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.