A jury was unable to reach a majority verdict after 19 hours of deliberations
Fahir Amaaz, foreground left, and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, right(Image: Getty Images)
Police have issued a statement after a jury failed to reach a verdict in a re-trial involving two brothers accused of assaulting an armed officer at Manchester Airport.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, were both on trial accused of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden. They had denied the single charge and claimed they were acting in self-defence.
Mr Amaaz had previously been convicted of assaulting two police officers and a member of the public in the same incident, jurors heard. Mr Amaaz and Mr Amaad were accused of assaulting PC Marsden, occasioning him actual bodily harm.
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On Wednesday (May 20), jurors at Liverpool Crown Court said they could not agree on any verdicts in respect of either of the defendants after deliberating for around 19 hours and 48 minutes, and after being told they could reach majority verdicts.
Prosecutors asked the judge for time to consider their position and to decide whether they will seek another re-trial. A further hearing has been scheduled for May 29.
Following the case, GMP said it was ‘disappointed’ the verdict could not be reached. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “While we are disappointed a verdict could not be reached today, we respect the outcome of the court process. We will continue to do what we can to support what happens next, in the interests of the officers affected and the public.”
In court, Judge Flewitt told jurors: “You are, as I’m sure you’re aware, not the first jury to consider the case. You are not the first jury to fail to reach a verdict in relation to this particular count. I don’t want you to feel in any way you have failed.
“The prosecution will now consider their position and decide whether they want to ask me to have a further trial, which will be unusual but not unknown.”
And following the hearing, solicitor Aamer Anwar – who represents Mr Amaaz and Mr Amaad spoke outside court. He said: “This jury, after 19 hours and 48 minutes and a five-week trial failed to reach a verdict regarding either defendant and has been discharged.
“The court will reconvene on the 29th of May for the Crown to advise this court on whether there will be any further proceedings. It will be inappropriate to comment until the further date.”