Two men charged with assaulting police officers after the Manchester Airport brawl

Announcing the decision, Frank Ferguson, the head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Following our review of an incident at Manchester Airport in July 2024, the Crown Prosecution Service has today issued charges against two individuals.

“Based on a careful consideration of this evidence, we have concluded that two men should be charged with offences including assaults on police officers.

“We have concluded no charges should be brought against any officers. We examined potential offences of actual bodily harm, and common assault, and reviewed expert evidence in the form of an independent report from an expert in the use of police force, to inform this decision.“

Good. I’m especially pleased that the poor violently attacked police had no charges brought against them.

I hope the vile attackers are locked away for a very long time.
Ideally I think they should be deported for the level of violence involved, particularly to the women officers, but that won’t happen of course.

Common sense prevails.

I would now like to hear what has happened to the rioters in the Leeds “Roma Riots”

Only 5 arrests were made.

I'm glad decisions have been reached after uncertainty , and they have clearly considered every angle because of the publicity.
They are UK citizens and will be dealt with accordingly, we don't deport our own citizens.

Good. It should not have taken so long.

I’m pleased they have been diligent, good work.

Good. About time

I'm sorry for those police officers who had to go through this ordeal.

At last!

About time

I can't remember if I'm right, I thought I read that apropos of the public's perception of two tier policing, these charges were brought about through a private prosecution. Please correct me someone if that's not the case..

Wasn’t it more Farage (I think) saying this was disgraceful (it was) and saying if prosecutions weren’t made a civil action would be undertaken?

TerriBull

I can't remember if I'm right, I thought I read that apropos of the public's perception of two tier policing, these charges were brought about through a private prosecution. Please correct me someone if that's not the case..

No the decision to prosecute has been made by the CPS , not by private prosecution. I started a thread earlier when I commented I hope the decision reassures those worried about two tier policing.
I’m relieved they are charged with assaulting police. They responded by denying the charges, which they will fight.
I’m relieved no police officers face charges.

Thank you for your clarification Iam, I confess to being a bit vague about the case, but anyway, as you say it's good that the police officers aren't facing charges.

I’m relieved the CPS is taking the right action TerriBull. We know there are serious backlogs in the Court system, so that is probably why the decision took a while. I expect it’s also been given serious consideration given the videos shared widely in an attempt to set an anti police agenda -,imo

JenniferEccles

Good. I’m especially pleased that the poor violently attacked police had no charges brought against them.

I hope the vile attackers are locked away for a very long time.
Ideally I think they should be deported for the level of violence involved, particularly to the women officers, but that won’t happen of course.

Where do British citizens get deported to though, or are they not British citizens?

JenniferEccles, British citizens are treated equally in law. as Casdon asks, where do you suggest British citizens can be deported to

Stephen Watson, chief constable of GMP said today he was lifting the suspension on the officer seen kicking one of the accused
I’ve asked gransnet to combine the threads or take mine down

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Wasn’t it more Farage (I think) saying this was disgraceful (it was) and saying if prosecutions weren’t made a civil action would be undertaken?

Farage, as always, cannot let an opportunity for self promotion go by.

This case, like all cases, was reviewed by CPS, and a trial (not sentencing as a previous poster erroneously said) will commence in January. This is how the law operates in this country, whatever the skin colour or religion of the accused.

Good.

It seems that this has been carefully considered before the decision was made to proceed and that would have taken some time.
A good decision not to bring charges against police officers who were dealing with an extremely difficult situation which could have escalated into something worse.

HousePlantQueen

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Wasn’t it more Farage (I think) saying this was disgraceful (it was) and saying if prosecutions weren’t made a civil action would be undertaken?

Farage, as always, cannot let an opportunity for self promotion go by.

This case, like all cases, was reviewed by CPS, and a trial (not sentencing as a previous poster erroneously said) will commence in January. This is how the law operates in this country, whatever the skin colour or religion of the accused.

I was thinking we need a conviction before sentencing.

Surely the initial appearance will be to enter pleas of guilty or not guilty, not commence a trial?

Unless I'm wrong, a full trial will then be scheduled if the pleas are not guilty

If pleas are guilty, sentencing is then the next step, either immediately or at a further hearing.

Wyllow3

Surely the initial appearance will be to enter pleas of guilty or not guilty, not commence a trial?

Unless I'm wrong, a full trial will then be scheduled if the pleas are not guilty

If pleas are guilty, sentencing is then the next step, either immediately or at a further hearing.

Yes, this trial will be like any other, assuming of course, that the interference and stirring by Reform hasn't given the accused's defence team plenty to argue about.

There is still an ongoing investigation within the police, with the possibility of disciplinary action. The initial video footage showed the police officer kicking one of the brothers as he lay on the floor. Its shock value was lessened but not wiped out by subsequent CCTV film of the attacks on police by the two brothers. They are insistent they are innocent victims of police violence.
My experience of working alongside the police in difficult situations has been relief at the skills shown in defusing, keeping volatile situations calm. I don’t say kicking a man in the head is acceptable but. I can’t help thinking this young officer had the red mist come down after a prolonged assault on him and his colleagues. It’s so easy to expect our police to be professional, to remain calm in any situation. In fact that is my expectation and experience. Despite this I have sympathy with that young officer. He and his colleagues appear, on what we know so far have been subjected to high levels of violence. I accept I don’t know the full story, none of us do. I very much doubt the CPS would have decided to charge if it didn’t have a high expectation the evidence would lead to conviction.