A teenager charged over an alleged bomb hoax that forced a Peter Kay comedy show to be evacuated has appeared in court. Omar Majed attended via video-link from HMP Brinsford at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, before Judge Andrew Smith KC.
Majed, wearing a grey prison t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, did not speak during the hearing. He only nodded when asked to confirm his identity by the court clerk. The defendant, who sat at a table next to a prison officer, grinned with his arms crossed and put his head down on the table multiple times.
Pre-trial review set for September
A pre-trial review hearing for Majed, of Saltley, Birmingham, was set for September 30. He is charged with communicating false information to police contrary to the Criminal Law Act. Majed has not yet been arraigned due to the need for psychiatric reports.
At a previous hearing, which was cut short after Majed started to take his clothes off, a trial date was set for November 3.
Judge addresses defendant
Addressing Majed, Judge Smith said: "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 co-operate with these doctors. You will, between now and September 30, remain in custody as you currently are."
At the end of the hearing, Majed stood up and appeared to bow multiple times before the link with the prison was cut.
Show evacuation details
Peter Kay, 52, was ushered off stage during his show at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on May 1, and the show was cancelled after the evacuation. West Midlands Police later said "nothing suspicious was found" during searches.
In an update 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 show was part of Kay's Better Late Than Never national tour, which will see all proceeds donated to 12 cancer charities.
