Man Pleads Guilty to Burning Quran in Public and Streaming Incident Online
Martin Frost, 47, was seen holding an Israeli flag before tearing pages from the Islamic holy book and setting them alight last Saturday (February 1), according to testimony heard at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Manchester Evening News reported on Monday.
The court was informed that Frost had promoted the event in advance and streamed it online.
During Monday’s hearing (February 3), the court was told that the catalyst for Frost’s Quran desecration was the loss of his daughter in the Israeli war, which had severely impacted his mental health.
Frost, a resident of Stretford, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to a charge of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress.
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Prosecutors stated that his actions, which included displaying offensive writing or signs, were threatening, abusive, or insulting, thereby causing distress to Fahad Iqbal and others.
Robin Lynch, prosecuting, detailed that a group of onlookers had gathered near the Glade of Light memorial—dedicated to the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing—when Frost began tearing pages from the Quran.
Frost also set some pages alight before throwing the holy book into a nearby river. Police then arrived at the scene and arrested him.
A victim impact statement from the individual who had tried to stop Frost expressed deep distress, stating: “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 Koran my heart was about to break out. This is the most emotion I have ever felt.”
Zoe Earle, Frost’s defense solicitor, claimed that her client was remorseful and emotionally overwhelmed, saying: “He’s extremely distressed at the distress he’s caused others as a result of this. He needs some further help and support.”
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The court was informed that Frost had a criminal record, with 20 previous convictions for 47 offences, though none related to similar public order violations.
Judge Margaret McCormack acknowledged Frost’s personal loss but condemned his actions, stating: “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.”
Frost was released on bail under the condition that he refrains from further social media activity. Sentencing is scheduled for April 29.
Source: Agencies
