A 19-year-old man accused of orchestrating a bomb hoax that forced the evacuation of comedian Peter Kay's performance at Birmingham's Utilita Arena has appeared in court via video-link. Omar Majed, from Saltley, Birmingham, attended a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, where he faces a charge of communicating false information to the police under the Criminal Law Act.
Dressed in a grey prison t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, Majed remained silent throughout the brief proceedings, only nodding to confirm his identity when addressed by the court clerk. Seated alongside a prison officer, he grinned with his arms crossed and occasionally rested his head on the table. At the conclusion of the hearing, he rose and appeared to bow several times before the video link was terminated.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Majed has not yet entered a plea, as psychiatric assessments are required before arraignment. A pre-trial review hearing has been scheduled for September 30. Speaking to the defendant, Judge Andrew Smith KC stated: "You will next appear before this court on September 30 this year. Between now and then, various doctors will need to speak to you, and you should cooperate with these doctors. You will, between now and September 30, remain in custody as you currently are."
An earlier hearing was cut short after Majed began removing his clothing. During that session, a trial date was set for November 3.
Incident at the Utilita Arena
The alleged hoax occurred on May 1 during Peter Kay's "Better Late Than Never" national tour performance at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Kay, 52, was led off stage and the event was cancelled after a suspicious bag was reported. West Midlands Police evacuated the venue but confirmed that "nothing suspicious was found" during searches. In a statement released on May 2, the force said: "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 performance was part of Kay's nationwide tour, with all proceeds donated to 12 cancer charities. The incident disrupted the show and caused significant inconvenience to attendees.
Next Steps
Majed will remain in custody until the pre-trial review in September. The court emphasised the need for psychiatric evaluations, and the defendant was urged to cooperate with medical professionals. The trial is expected to proceed on November 3 unless further delays occur.
