A 19-year-old charged over an alleged bomb hoax that forced a Peter Kay comedy show to be evacuated had to be removed from a crown court hearing after he began undressing. The hearing for Omar Majed, appearing at Birmingham Crown Court via video-link from HMP Brinsford, was cut short when prison officers removed him from the room as he started to remove his prison-issue grey tracksuit bottoms.
Judge Andrew Smith KC was attempting to address the defendant, who was not arraigned during the hearing due to the need for psychiatric reports, to inform him of his next court appearance. The judge curtailed his remarks to Majed and noted for the court record that prison staff had understandably escorted the defendant out of the video hearing room.
A further case management hearing for Majed, of Saltley, Birmingham, charged with communicating false information to police contrary to the Criminal Law Act, was set for July 27. A provisional trial date, lasting two weeks, was scheduled for November 3.
Peter Kay, aged 52, was escorted 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 stated that 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, with all proceeds donated to 12 cancer charities.
