Full Breakdown
Peter Kay Show Evacuated After Bomb Hoax; Teen Charged and Court Hearing Disrupted
6/2/2026, 8:54:42 PM
Incident Overview
On May 1, 2024, a report of a suspicious bag prompted the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham during a Peter Kay comedy performance. West Midlands Police searched the venue and found “nothing suspicious.” The show, part of Kay’s Better Late Than Never tour, was cancelled, and all proceeds were pledged to twelve cancer charities.
Legal Proceedings and Court Disruption
Nineteen-year-old Omar Majed of Saltley, Birmingham, was charged with communicating false information to police contrary to the Criminal Law Act. He appeared via video link from HMP Brinsford at Birmingham Crown Court. During the hearing, prison officers removed Majed after he began to remove his grey prison-issue tracksuit bottoms, causing the session to end abruptly. The judge, Andrew Smith KC, noted the removal in the record and postponed arraignment pending psychiatric reports. A case-management hearing is set for July 27, with a provisional two-week trial slated for November 3.
Key Individuals and Agencies
- Omar Majed – 19-year-old defendant, charged with a bomb hoax.
- Peter Kay – Comedian whose show was evacuated.
- Judge Andrew Smith KC – Presiding judge at Birmingham Crown Court.
- West Midlands Police – Conducted the arena search and issued public statements.
- HMP Brinsford – Facility from which Majed attended the hearing via video link.
Timeline of Events
- May 1 – Suspicious bag reported; arena evacuated; police find nothing.
- May 2 – West Midlands Police release statement confirming no threat.
- Date unspecified – Video-link hearing at Birmingham Crown Court interrupted by defendant’s undressing.
- July 27 – Scheduled case-management hearing.
- November 3 – Provisional trial date.
Data and Figures
Defendant age: 19. Venue: Utilita Arena, Birmingham. Tour: Better Late Than Never, supporting twelve cancer charities. Expected trial length: two weeks.
Official Police Statements
West Midlands Police confirmed that searches yielded no suspicious items and emphasized public safety as the primary concern. The force thanked the public for cooperation and understanding following the evacuation.
Criticism and Public Concerns
No source-provided criticism or opposition to the police response or legal handling was identified.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
The initial report of a suspicious bag led to evacuation, yet subsequent searches found nothing, illustrating a discrepancy between the threat perception and the factual outcome. Psychiatric assessment details remain undisclosed, leaving a gap in understanding the defendant’s mental-health considerations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “An evacuation of the arena was ordered yesterday evening after a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area.” — West Midlands Police
- “nothing suspicious was found” — West Midlands Police
- “Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding.” — West Midlands Police
- “As always, our priority is the safety of the public.” — West Midlands Police
Outlook and Upcoming Proceedings
The case will proceed to a case-management hearing on July 27, after which a two-week trial is expected to begin on November 3, pending completion of psychiatric evaluations.
