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Martin Frost was filmed tearing out pages of the Islamic holy book before setting it alight in the city centre
Martin Frost was filmed tearing out pages of the Islamic holy book before setting it alight near the Glade of Light memorial
A man has admitted a racially aggravated public order offence after setting fire to a Quran which was live-streamed on social media in Manchester.
Martin Frost, 47, was filmed holding a flag of Israel before tearing out pages of the Islamic holy book and setting fire to it in Manchester on Saturday (February 1), a court heard. He had publicised the event online beforehand, and it was streamed on social media, Manchester Magistrates’ Court was told.
The 'trigger' for his actions was the death of his daughter in the Israeli conflict which had affected his mental health, the court heard on Monday (February 3).
Frost, of Barkway Road, Stretford, Trafford, pleaded guilty to a single charge of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment or alarm to Fahad Iqbal, by displaying some writing, sign or other visible representation which was threatening, abusive or insulting thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or distress.
Martin Frost faced Magistrates on Monday (Image: ABNM Photography)
Robin Lynch, prosecuting, told the court a crowd of supporters gathered near the Glade of Light memorial to the 22 murdered in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, last Saturday afternoon when Frost began tearing out pages of the Quran.
Mr Lynch said a passer-by tried to intervene, but Frost then shouted: “This is what I think of your Quran. Islam has no place in civil society.”
The prosecutor continued: “Then he ripped out pages and said these pages talk about paedophilia and sets that page alight.” Frost then threw the book in the river nearby and was arrested when police arrived.
The defendant told officers he was demonstrating solidarity with another anti-Islam activist in Sweden, who was recently murdered after burning a Quran.
A victim impact statement from the person who tried to intervene, said: “I was quite shocked, disgusted and offended. I’m a Muslim. I still can’t believe someone would do this. When he began to burn the Quran my heart was about to break out. This is the most emotion I have ever felt.”
Zoe Earle, defending Frost – who was in tears stood in the dock, said: “He’s extremely distressed at the distress he’s caused others as a result of this. He needs some further help and support.
“What triggered what happened recently is that his daughter was killed in the Israeli conflict. Her death has had a significant impact on his mental health. His mental health is clearly declining over the last six months.”
The court heard Frost has 20 previous convictions for 47 offences, but nothing of a similar nature to the public order offence on Saturday. Judge Margaret McCormack asked for a pre-sentence report before passing sentence.
She told Frost she was sorry for the loss of his daughter, but added: “The Quran is a sacred book to Muslims and treating it as you did is going to cause extreme distress. This is a tolerant country, but we just do not tolerate this behaviour.”
