Woman Charged in Relation to Primark Breastfeeding Claim

A 28-year-old woman who claimed a security guard removed her baby from her breast as she fed the child in a Primark store has been charged with perverting course of justice.

Caroline Starmer, a mother of four, claimed on Facebook and later in reports published in various news outlets that the incident occurred in the Leicester Primark store as she was feeding her nine-month-old daughter.

Her claims were denied by the store and CCTV footage was handed over to police.

In a statement issued today, representatives for the fashion chain said:

“Primark notes the announcement made today by Leicestershire Police that Caroline Starmer has been summoned to appear at court charged with perverting the course of public justice. 

"The charges are laid in connection with an alleged incident at Primark's Leicester store on 13 July 2015.  Mrs Starmer alleged to police and the press that she was breastfeeding her child in our store when a security guard told her she must cease and forcibly removed the child from her.

"Primark has cooperated fully with police investigators, and will not be commenting further on the ongoing proceedings against Mrs Starmer.  We are pleased to have the opportunity however to confirm that Primark will continue to work hard to ensure that all of our customers have a comfortable and enjoyable experience in our stores. This of course includes breastfeeding mothers, who remain welcome, as ever, at Primark.”

A statement issued by Leicestershire Police reads:

 "A 28-year-old woman has been summoned to appear at court charged with intent to pervert the course of public justice. It follows an allegation made in which a woman claimed that while in a store in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, on Monday 13 July, she was assaulted by a security guard. Caroline Starmer, of Leicester, is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Monday 24 August."