Omar Majed, a 19-year-old from Washwood Heath, Birmingham, was charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax after comedian Peter Kay was evacuated from the stage mid-performance at Utilita Arena Birmingham on 2 May 2026. Majed appeared before magistrates on 4 May 2026 as the case progressed through the courts.
Who Is Omar Majed?
Omar Majed is a 19-year-old from Washwood Heath in Birmingham. He was arrested by West Midlands Police following a reported bomb hoax at Utilita Arena Birmingham on the evening of Friday 2 May 2026. Majed was subsequently charged with false communications relating to an explosives hoax.
His case attracted significant public attention because of the high-profile nature of the disrupted event — a sold-out performance by comedian Peter Kay, one of the most popular live entertainment acts in the United Kingdom. The false alarm caused the evacuation of thousands of concert-goers and ended Peter Kay’s show approximately 45 minutes into his set.
What Happened at the Peter Kay Show?
On the evening of Friday 2 May 2026, Peter Kay was performing at Utilita Arena Birmingham as part of his ongoing tour when a “suspicious bag” was reported inside the venue. Security staff and police responded to the report, which triggered the evacuation of the arena and the abrupt end of the performance.
Peter Kay was described as being “bundled off stage” by security personnel as the evacuation took place. Thousands of concert-goers were directed out of the venue while West Midlands Police and venue staff searched for any suspicious items.
Following a thorough search of the arena, West Midlands Police confirmed that “nothing suspicious was found.” The disruption was later attributed to what investigators believe was a deliberate false report — a bomb hoax. Majed was arrested in connection with the report shortly afterwards.
West Midlands Police worked swiftly to identify and detain the person responsible. Bomb hoaxes cause enormous disruption and distress and are treated as serious criminal offences by UK courts, regardless of whether any genuine explosive device was ever present.
If you or someone you know has been charged with an offence and is facing remand in custody, you can read more about how to find a prisoner in the UK if they are taken into custody.
The Charge and Court Appearance
Omar Majed was charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax — an offence under the Communications Act 2003 and relevant explosives legislation. He appeared before Birmingham Magistrates Court on 4 May 2026.
The case is at an early stage. Majed has not yet been convicted of any offence and the charge will need to be tested before a court in the normal way. He is presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise.
Bomb hoax offences carry significant potential penalties, including imprisonment, particularly where the hoax causes large-scale disruption to public events and venues. Courts consider factors including the intent behind the communication, the scale of disruption caused and the impact on individuals who were present during the incident.
If a defendant is remanded in custody following a court appearance, their family may wish to use the prison visit booking system to arrange contact. Our guide explains how the process works for remand prisoners.
Peter Kay Returns to Stage
Despite the alarming events of Friday evening, Peter Kay returned to the stage at Utilita Arena Birmingham the following night, Saturday 3 May 2026, completing his performance to a full house. The decision was widely praised as a demonstration of resilience and commitment to his audience.
Kay’s tour is one of the most significant live comedy tours in UK history, with demand for tickets remaining exceptionally high. The bomb hoax not only disrupted the performance of 2 May but also caused significant distress to the thousands of audience members who were evacuated and did not receive the full show they had paid to see.
Venue operators and police treated the incident with the utmost seriousness, and the speed with which a suspect was identified and charged reflects the priority West Midlands Police placed on resolving the case quickly.
Bomb Hoax Laws in the UK
In the United Kingdom, making a false bomb threat or hoax report is a serious criminal offence. Under the Criminal Law Act 1977 and the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, those convicted of communicating false information about explosives can face substantial prison sentences.
The offence does not require an actual explosive device to exist. The act of making a false report that causes emergency services to respond or that leads to evacuations is sufficient for a prosecution. UK courts take such offences seriously because of the enormous resources they consume, the genuine fear and distress caused to members of the public, and the risk of harm during large-scale evacuations.
Penalties can range from community orders for less serious cases to several years in custody where the disruption is large-scale or where there is evidence of deliberate intent to cause fear. You can read more about the UK sentencing and parole process to understand how courts approach custodial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Omar Majed charged?
Omar Majed was charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax. He is alleged to have made a false report about a suspicious bag at Utilita Arena Birmingham on 2 May 2026 during a Peter Kay concert, causing the venue to be evacuated and the performance to be cut short. He has not yet been convicted of any offence.
What happened at the Peter Kay bomb hoax?
On 2 May 2026, a suspicious bag was reported at Utilita Arena Birmingham during a Peter Kay concert. The arena was evacuated and Peter Kay was taken off stage approximately 45 minutes into his performance. West Midlands Police searched the venue and found nothing suspicious. Omar Majed, 19, was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the false report.
Has Omar Majed been convicted?
No. As of 4 May 2026, Omar Majed had been charged and appeared before magistrates, but had not been convicted of any offence. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the case will proceed through the courts in the normal way.
What is the sentence for a bomb hoax in the UK?
In the UK, a bomb hoax conviction can result in a custodial sentence. The length of any sentence depends on the circumstances of the case, including the scale of disruption caused, the intent of the offender and any previous convictions. Courts treat bomb hoaxes seriously because of the distress and disruption they cause and the significant resources required to respond to them.
Did Peter Kay continue his tour after the bomb hoax?
Yes. Peter Kay returned to the stage at Utilita Arena Birmingham the following night, 3 May 2026, and completed his performance. His decision to continue the tour was widely praised and he received strong support from fans and the public following the incident.
