At Manchester Airport, a policewoman endured a brutal assault by a man, leaving her bloodied. The assailant, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, from Rochdale, received a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence for the incident that garnered significant attention on social media.
During the evening of July 23, 2024, PCs Lydia Ward and Ellie Cook responded to a report of a disturbance in Terminal 2. Amaaz resisted arrest and proceeded to physically attack the officers. PC Ward sustained a broken nose and concussion, while PC Cook, a firearms officer, suffered an injured jaw from Amaaz’s punches.
PC Ward, now a police sergeant, addressed the court during Amaaz’s sentencing. She described how Amaaz made eye contact with her before launching the assault, emphasizing her petite stature and vulnerability compared to his actions. She expressed her shock and ongoing confusion about the attack, recounting the fear she felt as Amaaz struck her.
Furthermore, PC Ward criticized Amaaz for portraying himself as a victim and lacking remorse for his actions. She highlighted the negative impact of social media comments on her reputation and emotional well-being, noting the lasting physical and psychological effects of the assault.
PC Cook shared her harrowing experience of being attacked and witnessing her colleague’s injuries. She questioned Amaaz’s intentions and expressed her disappointment in having to relinquish her firearms duties due to the traumatic incident. She underscored the profound impact of Amaaz’s actions on her professional life and urged him to remember the consequences of his behavior.
Both officers detailed the lasting trauma and physical scars they bear as a result of the assault, highlighting the importance of accountability and justice in such cases.
