Jurors in the Manchester Airport assault trial have heard that a police officer kick to Mohammed Fahir Amaaz head was considered “necessary and proportionate”, despite him being on the ground after being tasered.
On the third day of the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, PC Ellie Cook continued her evidence, describing a “very hostile situation” as officers attempted to arrest Amaaz at a pay station following an earlier incident inside a Starbucks café.
The officer told the court that Amaaz resisted arrest, tensed his arm and began striking officers, delivering punches with what she described as a “high level” of force. She said she was knocked to the ground and suffered blows to the head during the confrontation.
PC Cook said she deployed her Taser towards Amaaz back, after fearing for the safety of colleagues and members of the public. She told jurors she was initially unsure if the device had connected, but then realised it had taken effect and used it again to create distance.
She said both Amaaz and PC Zachary Marsden fell backwards following the Taser deployment.
The court heard that moments later, PC Marsden kicked Amaaz in the head.
Asked whether she had ever seen such force used before, PC Cook said she had not, but told jurors she believed it was justified given the circumstances.
She said: “Due to the high level of violence that had just been used, it seemed necessary and proportionate.”
PC Cook added she did not believe PC Marsden was aware Amaaz had been tasered at the time, and said Amaaz had his arm around the officer neck during the struggle.
The officer said she pressed her emergency button for assistance, describing it as the only time in her career she had done so.
Under cross-examination, defence counsel challenged PC Cook account, suggesting there had been failures in planning and questioning whether officers had sufficient information before attempting to detain Amaaz.
PC Cook rejected the suggestion, maintaining that she had acted with “honesty and integrity” and that the force used was “necessary, proportionate and reasonable”.
She also denied that officers had conducted a joint debrief following the incident.
The trial continues.
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