A teenager charged over an alleged bomb hoax that forced the cancellation of a Peter Kay comedy show has been remanded in custody until next month. Omar Majed, 19, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday, where he was ordered to the cells during an 11-minute hearing after shouting that proposed bail conditions were unacceptable.
The court heard that thousands of fans were evacuated from Birmingham's Utilita Arena last Friday after Majed allegedly barged into the venue without a ticket and indicated to a police officer that a bomb may have been left inside. Prosecutor Ros Buttler described the alleged hoax as having serious repercussions at an event expected to draw nearly 13,000 people.
Majed is charged with communicating false information to police, contrary to the Criminal Law Act, alleging he told a police officer and others that a bomb was present in the arena, knowing or believing this to be false. District Judge Michelle Smith, appearing via video-link, repeatedly asked Majed to be quiet and sit down during the hearing.
After Majed declared the bail conditions unacceptable, he was taken to the cells. The judge refused a bail application and adjourned the case, sending it to Birmingham Crown Court on June 1. Majed gave no indication of plea.
Peter Kay, 52, was ushered off stage during his Better Late Than Never tour show at the Utilita Arena on Friday. The show was cancelled after evacuation, and West Midlands Police confirmed that nothing suspicious was found during searches. All proceeds from the tour are being donated to 12 cancer charities.
