A jury has been discharged in the re-trial of two brothers accused of assaulting a police officer at Manchester Airport after failing to reach verdicts.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, both of Tarnside Close, Rochdale, denied assaulting PC Zachary Marsden during an incident at the airport on July 23, 2024.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that jurors deliberated for around 19 hours and 48 minutes before informing the court they were unable to agree on any verdicts in respect of either defendant.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC discharged the jury after previously directing them that majority verdicts could be accepted.
He told jurors they were not the first to consider the case or to fail to reach a verdict on the charge.
The prosecution has been given time to consider its position and decide whether to seek a further re-trial. A further hearing has been scheduled for May 29.
The court heard that the brothers had gone to Manchester Airport to collect their mother following a flight.
Jurors were told that Mohammed Fahir Amaaz assaulted a man, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, in a Starbucks at the airport after what was described as a disagreement on a flight. Amaaz claimed his mother had been racially abused.
The court heard that Amaaz then assaulted police officers at a pay station in Terminal 2 after officers responded to the earlier incident.
At a previous trial, Amaaz was convicted of assaulting Mr Ismaeil and two police officers, PC Ellie Cook and PC Lydia Ward. PC Ward suffered a broken nose, while PC Cook sustained minor injuries.
In the re-trial, both brothers denied assaulting PC Marsden and claimed they acted in self-defence.
PC Marsden was said to have suffered post-concussion symptoms, including headaches, dizziness and memory issues.
The court heard that during the incident, the officer kicked Amaaz and brought his foot down towards his head.
During his evidence, Amaaz said he believed he was under threat and feared serious harm.
Amaad also told the court he believed he was under attack and said he raised his hands after seeing the officer’s firearm, stating he feared he could be shot.