Sometimes, what we first see in a viral video doesn’t tell the whole story—and that was painfully clear in a case that has gripped public attention since last summer at Manchester Airport.
What started as a shocking clip online turned into a more disturbing criminal trial—and one that highlights troubling gaps in how justice is delivered.
Manchester Convicts Young Man for Attacking Female Officers
On July 23, 2024, chaos erupted at the airport terminal when Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, aged 20, was filmed in a brawl that ended with two female officers wounded.
A year later at Liverpool Crown Court, he was found guilty of causing actual bodily harm to PCs Lydia Ward and Ellie Cook.
Though a jury couldn’t reach a verdict on a third assault charge (against PC Zachary Marsden), Amaaz was held fully accountable for his violent acts—and remains in custody awaiting sentencing.
Why Did It Take So Long?
If damning CCTV footage was available, why did it take from July to December simply to press charges? That delay is deeply unsettling.
While a high-profile tweet led to arrest and sentencing in just three months, here the process dragged on for months.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)—which typically charges suspects within about 44 days—took three times longer in this case.
Politics Clouded the Narrative
Shockingly, the initial reaction from certain political and media voices flipped the script—casting Amaaz and his brother as the victims.
A partial 44-second mobile clip showing Amaaz on the ground became viral fodder.
Left-wing commentators and even a leading Labour MP echoed claims of excessive force, dubbing the footage “disturbing.”
But what they were ignoring was the full story—that the officers had been severely assaulted, with one suffering a broken nose.
Deeper Context Revealed Through CCTV
Once the full CCTV emerged, a clearer—and more troubling—picture appeared.
Amaaz had previously head-butted a traveler in Starbucks after allegedly being racially insulted.
When police tried to step in, the violence escalated.
In other words, the confrontation was triggered by Amaaz’s own brutal behavior—not over-policing.
Speed of Justice Symbolic of Bigger Issues
Contrast this with the rapid prosecution of people like Lucy Connolly, who received a 31-month prison sentence over a single tweet within five weeks.
If an online post can be treated so swiftly—and brutally—why does brutal physical assault on officers take months just to get through initial charges?
A Legacy of Hesitation on Enforcement?
Perhaps the delay reflects a broader fear among public bodies: anxiousness over accusations of Islamophobia or racial bias.
If rushing a case risks public unrest or political backlash, it may get buried in bureaucratic waiting rooms—allowing violence to linger unresolved.
Judgment Should Be Swift, But Also Fair
Amaaz has been convicted of attacking officers, and justice has started to catch up. But justice delayed is not justice fully served.
The case raises broader issues—how politics, race, and fear may slow legal processes even when the evidence is clear.
For every individual case like this, the message needs to be loud and clear: violent crimes against officers—especially those inflicted on women—should be dealt with swiftly, transparently, and without political hesitation.