A female police officer was viciously attacked by a man at Manchester Airport, leaving her battered and bloody. The assailant, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, from Rochdale, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for the assault. The incident, which sparked widespread social media debate after video footage circulated online, occurred when PCs Lydia Ward and Ellie Cook responded to a headbutt report in Terminal 2 on July 23, 2024.
Amaaz resisted arrest and proceeded to physically assault the two officers, causing PC Ward to suffer a broken nose and concussion, while PC Cook, a firearms officer, sustained a jaw injury. PC Ward, now a police sergeant, addressed Amaaz in court, recounting the traumatic experience and expressing her disbelief at the unprovoked attack. She emphasized her small stature and the severity of her injuries, highlighting the fear and confusion she felt during the assault.
PC Ward noted Amaaz’s lack of remorse and his attempt to portray himself as a victim in the aftermath of the incident. She detailed the impact on her physical and mental well-being, including the need for surgery to repair her broken nose and the lasting reminder of the attack in the form of a scar. PC Cook, who intervened to protect her colleague during the assault, described the moment her vision darkened after being struck and expressed her disappointment at being forced to relinquish her firearms duties due to the attack.
Addressing Amaaz directly, PC Cook questioned his intentions and the potential consequences if she had not intervened. She condemned his actions for depriving her of her role and expressed her hope that he would never forget the harm he caused. The officers’ statements shed light on the lasting trauma and professional repercussions resulting from the assault, underscoring the serious impact of such violence on law enforcement personnel.