Teenager Charged in Peter Kay Bomb Hoax Appears in Court
Omar Majed faces charges under the Criminal Law Act following Utilita Arena evacuation.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Omar Majed, a teenager accused of communicating false information to police, appeared in Birmingham Crown Court via video-link from HMP Brinsford today.
Majed stands charged under the Criminal Law Act, stemming from the May 1, 2024, incident at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
A Peter Kay comedy show was evacuated and subsequently cancelled after a report detailed a suspicious bag left within the venue.
West Midlands Police conducted extensive searches across the arena, ultimately finding nothing suspicious.
The prosecution implies the teenager orchestrated a bomb hoax, targeting a Peter Kay show, part of his 'Better Late Than Never' national tour, with proceeds designated for cancer charities.
During the initial hearing, Majed, a teenager, remained silent, confirming his identity only with a nod.
The court has not yet arraigned the defendant; psychiatric reports are a mandatory prerequisite for further proceedings.
A previous hearing concluded prematurely when Majed began removing his clothes, forcing the interruption.
You will next appear before this court on September 30, 2024.
Judge Andrew Smith KC addressed Majed directly, stating, 'You will next appear before this court on September 30, 2024.'
Judge Smith further instructed the defendant to cooperate, ordering, 'Between now and then, various doctors will need to speak to you and you should co-operate with these doctors.'
The judge concluded his directives with a clear custody order, affirming, 'You will, between now and September 30, 2024, remain in custody as you currently are.'
West Midlands Police confirmed the arena's evacuation, with their statement detailing, 'An evacuation of the arena was ordered yesterday evening after a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area.'
Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always, our priority is the safety of the public.
The police also acknowledged public cooperation, adding, 'Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding.'
Public safety remains the paramount concern for law enforcement, as the police reiterated, 'As always, our priority is the safety of the public.'
This incident created significant public and economic pressures for venues and law enforcement, disrupting major events.
The Peter Kay tour, specifically designed to benefit cancer charities, saw its Birmingham engagement abruptly halted, impacting charitable fundraising.
A pre-trial review hearing for Majed is scheduled for September 30, 2024, a date that will determine the next steps in the legal process.
During his first court appearance, Majed reportedly 'bowed' multiple times; other accounts describe him grinning, crossing his arms, and repeatedly putting his head down on the table before the video link disconnected.