A female police officer who was punched in the face during a brawl at Manchester Airport told her attacker to his face that he had “changed” her life – as he was jailed for three and a half years.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, was convicted of assaulting PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook during the incident on 23 July 2024. Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing, PC Ward – now promoted to sergeant – read a powerful statement directly to Amaaz.
“Mohammed Fahir Amaaz jailed for 3.5 years for punching two female police officers at Manchester Airport.”
“You changed my face,” she said. “You chose to attack a female. You knocked me to the ground with one punch, with so much force you broke my nose.”
The officer, who is 5ft 2in and weighs 8st, urged Amaaz to “take a good look at [her]” behind her uniform as she recalled the physical and psychological impact of the unprovoked attack.
“What angers me is that afterwards, when only part of the footage was out in the public, you played the victim,” she said. “You are not a victim. I am the one who was injured, not you. You had the whole world listening to you, and you showed no remorse. Not one ounce.”
Mobile phone footage of the incident was widely shared online in the aftermath, sparking protests after a young Asian male was seen lying on the floor while being kicked in the face by a male police officer. However, a CCTV clip leaked to the press days later revealed that, beforehand, several punches were thrown towards the male firearms officer and his two female colleagues.
PC Ward added: “You allowed the public to feel sorry for you. You made out like we had done something wrong when all we were doing was our job.”
In her statement, she revealed she had been forced to bring her newborn with her when she gave evidence, calling the court “no place for a baby”.
“I want you to know I am not weak,” she told Amaaz. “No matter how this has affected me or impacted on my life, I will not allow you to see me as weak. You used me as a punch bag, but I will get back up, and I will show you how strong I am.”
The second policewoman, PC Cook, told the court she has now put her dreams of becoming a close protection officer on hold, leaving her “broken”.
Amaaz and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, were also charged with assaulting PC Zachary Marsden during the altercation, but juries at two trials failed to reach a verdict. Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue a third trial.