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Two men accused of assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport during a brawl shared across social media will not face a second retrial.
The Crown Prosecution Service has said it will not be ordering a further hearing for Muhammad Amaad, 26, and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, after two previous juries at Liverpool Crown Court failed to reach verdicts.
The pair had denied assaulting Greater Manchester PC Zachary Marsden at the car park pay station area of terminal two on 23 July 2024.
Amaaz had previously been convicted by another jury of assaulting two female officers, PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook, and a Starbucks customer during the same alleged incident. He will be sentenced on 26 June.
Amaaz appeared via videolink from prison while Amaad sat with his lawyers in the court as prosecutor Paul Greaney KC outlined the reasoning for not applying for a second retrial.
He said the law was clear in that there would be a "presumption and expectation" that there are no third trials save for "exceptional circumstances".
Judge Neil Flewitt KC directed that verdicts of not guilty be recorded against the two defendants.
Greaney said: "The Crown's assessment is that while the count on the indictment is serious and the case has attracted significant public interest, it cannot be properly described as one of extreme gravity."
He said the matter had been considered at the "highest level".
The jurors had been advised they could reach a majority verdict but were discharged after failing to do so.
The court had heard police approached the two brothers after an earlier incident at a coffee shop.
Footage shared on social media and shown to the jury later showed a widespread disturbance.
Both men denied the charge and said they acted in lawful self-defence, or in defence of the other.
PA
Amaad (centre) outside Liverpool Crown Court earlier with his lawyer (left)
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) remains ongoing into the use of force by Greater Manchester Police officers.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: "Whilst disappointed that the prosecution case was not fully endorsed, we respect the findings of the court and accept the outcome of the jury's thoughtful deliberations.
"We are cognisant of the ongoing IOPC investigation into the conduct of our officers.
"It is vital that officers get the respect and support they deserve for routinely putting themselves in harm's way to protect the public.
"We will continue to cooperate fully with this investigation, and we look forward to its conclusion in due course."
The IOPC said their investigation was at an "advanced stage".
"New evidence came to our attention in October 2025 and, there are now additional lines of inquiry for us to explore before we can finalise our decisions," a spokesman said.
"IOPC investigators are now working through various strands of investigative material before any decisions are made on the next steps.
"We will continue to keep the relevant parties updated as we work to conclude matters as swiftly as possible."
In a statement made outside of the court earlier, the lawyer representing Amaad and Amaaz said the brothers "have not just faced trial twice but they have faced trial by social media"
"Their lives have been wrecked," he added, before referencing the ongoing investigation against GMP officers. "This is not over."
Amaaz has been in custody for the last 10 months, after being convicted of three assaults connected to the alleged incident.
