Manchester Airport brawlers: did they escape arrest?

Two brothers who were filmed struggling with police officers at Manchester Airport in July 2024 will not face a third trial on an allegation that one officer was assaulted, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed after a second jury failed to agree on that charge. The decision has reignited debate about prosecutorial discretion, public safety, and how widely circulated video footage shapes public opinion and courtroom outcomes.

The incident and the legal fallout have been closely followed across the UK, with footage and leaked CCTV clips fueling strong reactions on both sides. Prosecutors, defense teams, and members of the public are now wrestling with whether the decision not to pursue another trial represents a sensible application of legal standards or a failure to secure accountability after violent behavior against officers and a member of the public.

How events at Manchester Airport unfolded and what the footage showed

On July 23, 2024, Greater Manchester Police officers responded to a report of an assault at a Starbucks in Manchester Airport involving one of the brothers, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, and a customer, Abdulkareem Ismaeil. Initial short clips of the police interaction circulated widely online, showing an officer — PC Zachary Marsden — appearing to kick a man on the ground. That early footage sparked immediate public outrage and accusations of racial bias.

When a longer CCTV recording later surfaced, the context shifted. The fuller clip showed both Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, engaging physically with officers, throwing punches at a male officer and at least two female officers. The comprehensive footage altered how observers and prosecutors saw the incident, raising questions about who initiated violence and how force was used by multiple parties.

Charges, convictions, and the juries’ split decisions

At the first trial in July 2025, jurors returned mixed outcomes. Amaaz was convicted of common assault against Ismaeil and of two counts of actual bodily harm against officers PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook. However, juries at two separate trials failed to reach a verdict on whether the brothers caused actual bodily harm to PC Marsden. The second jury, after nearly 20 hours of deliberations, again could not agree on that count.

What the prosecution and defense argued

• Prosecution position: Counsel described the charge involving PC Marsden as serious and of significant public interest but argued it did not reach the high threshold of “extreme gravity” that would justify repeated retrials.
• Defense position: The brothers’ lawyers characterized the courtroom atmosphere as tainted by bias, alleging an environment of “race hatred” during proceedings.

Jurors must initially aim for a unanimous verdict. If that proves impossible, UK law allows a majority verdict of at least 10–2 depending on circumstances. Two successive hung juries on the same count raised a difficult question for the CPS on whether to mount a third prosecution attempt.

Why the CPS declined a third trial and the legal standard it applied

The Crown Prosecution Service referred to established guidance and case law when announcing it would not seek another retrial. The leading authority, R v Bell [2010] EWCA Crim 3, limits second retrials to exceptional situations — typically only where the alleged offense is of “extreme gravity” and where the evidence against the accused remains overwhelmingly strong.

• The CPS concluded this case, while serious, did not meet that narrow threshold.
• Guidance also sets a clear presumption against pursuing a third jury trial after two deadlocked juries.

For many members of the public and some commentators, that decision feels unsatisfying. They point to the confirmed convictions for assaults on other officers and against a member of the public as context that, in their view, supports bringing the Marsden allegation back before a jury. Supporters of the CPS decision emphasize the legal safeguards that prevent repeated prosecutions from imposing undue hardship on defendants and the courts.

Criminal offense options the case touched on and why they matter

Legal experts and commentators have debated whether alternative or additional offenses could have been charged given the nature of the violence captured on CCTV. Two commonly discussed charges were:

• Affray: Requires unlawful violence or a threat of violence that would cause a person of reasonable firmness to fear for their safety. It addresses the public alarm element of violent acts in public spaces.
• Violent disorder: Applies when three or more people are involved in violence; it carries a higher maximum sentence but requires a specific number of participants.

Prosecutors must match charges to evidence that can be proved beyond reasonable doubt. While some observers argued that affray or violent disorder might have been suitable, each charge has distinct legal elements that the prosecution must meet for a realistic prospect of conviction.

Public reaction, perceptions of bias, and the jury system under strain

The case has stirred strong emotional responses. Early viral clips encouraged claims of police misconduct and racial prejudice, while the later, more complete footage shifted the narrative toward the brothers’ use of violence against officers. This back-and-forth highlights how partial footage can drive public opinion and complicate an already complex legal process.

Key points fueling debate:

• The role of social media and leaked CCTV in shaping initial public perceptions.
• Whether jurors were able to assess the totality of evidence free from external pressure.
• How prosecutors balance public interest, legal thresholds, and the risk of further hung juries when deciding whether to seek another trial.

Defense lawyers’ claims that the proceedings were marred by racial animus were rejected by many who point to the meticulous approach juries took over long trials and hours of deliberation. The split verdicts, critics say, are likely the result of honest differences in jurors’ interpretations of contested evidence rather than systemic bias in the process.

What remains on the court calendar and what to watch next

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz is scheduled for sentencing on June 26 for his convictions involving the two female officers and the member of the public. The sentence will be an important indicator of how the judiciary views the seriousness of those offenses and may influence public perception of whether justice has been delivered.

Observers and stakeholders will also be watching how the CPS applies its own guidance going forward and whether any policy or procedural changes arise in response to criticism. The case underscores the tensions between public demand for accountability, protections against repeated prosecutions, and the realities of proving contested criminal allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

Luke Gittos is a columnist and author who writes frequently on civil liberties and criminal justice. His latest book examines the Human Rights Act and its implications for legal protections in the UK.

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Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson is a dedicated columnist focusing on political and social debates. With twelve years in editorial writing, he provides nuanced, well‑argued perspectives. His commentaries invite you to form your own views and engage in critical issues.