The Israel-supporter who live streamed himself ripping out pages and then burning a copy of the Holy Quran in Manchester on Saturday has admitted a racially aggravated public order offence.
Martin Frost, 47, was filmed waving a flag of Israel before desecrating the beloved Islamic holy book in a premeditated protest, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard.
The “trigger” for his offensive actions was reportedly the death of his daughter in the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza which had affected his mental health, the court heard.
Frost, of Stretford, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to a single charge of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment or alarm 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.
The burning of the Islamic holy book was advertised online beforehand and streamed on social media.
In the footage which went viral on X, Frost could be heard, while waving the Israeli flag, explaining that he was burning the Quran to “repeat the act” of Salwan Momika.
Momika, a notorious Iraqi Christian asylum seeker, sparked major protests worldwide for burning the Quran outside mosques and Muslim-majority nation’s embassy buildings in Sweden between 2023 to 2024.
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Momika was killed in Sweden last week under suspicious circumstances. Swedish police are investigating the death.
During 2024, Momika expressed strong support for Israel multiple times at similar Islamophobic demos where he could be seen burning Palestinian flag pictures and defending Israel’s actions amid widespread anger over war crimes in Gaza.
During the Manchester desecration incident, a Muslim passerby attempted to “intervene” to stop the desecration.
A victim impact statement from the person was reported to have 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 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.”
She bailed Frost on condition he does not post anything further on social media and will pass sentence on April 29.