Two brothers from Birmingham, once represented by self-proclaimed TikTok lawyer Akhmed Yakoob, have been cleared of assaulting an armed police officer at Manchester Airport. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were on trial accused of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden near the car park area of terminal two on 23 July 2024.
The brothers denied the charge, claiming they acted in self-defence. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it would not seek a further hearing after two previous juries at Liverpool Crown Court failed to reach verdicts. Judge Neil Flewitt KC directed that not guilty verdicts be recorded for both defendants.
CPS Decision Not to Pursue Third Trial
Prosecution counsel Paul Greaney KC stated that the decision to abandon another trial was made at the 'highest level' of the CPS. He explained that the law presumes against a third trial unless there are 'exceptional circumstances' and the case is of 'extreme gravity'. While acknowledging the case was serious, Mr Greaney said it did not meet the threshold for 'extreme gravity'.
The prosecutor also noted that 'wholly false' information had gained 'traction on social media', including claims that Amaaz had been convicted of other offences and that jurors were not deadlocked on all charges. Amaaz was previously convicted of assaulting two female officers, PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook, and a Starbucks customer during the same incident. He will be sentenced on 26 June.
Viral Footage and Legal Representation
Footage of the altercation, showing the men throwing punches at officers, went viral after being published by the Manchester Evening News. Akhmed Yakoob, known as the 'TikTok lawyer' from Maurice Andrews Solicitors in Handsworth, initially represented the brothers in July 2024. He made public statements about Fahir's injuries but stepped aside weeks later, replaced by new counsel.
