Facing jail, mother who lied in Primark breastfeeding row
A MOTHER who lied about a Primark security guard snatching her baby from her breast has been warned she faces jail.
Caroline Starmer sparked outrage among campaign groups when she claimed a store employee had ripped her daughter from her chest while she was ‘discreetly’ breastfeeding.
Hundreds leapt to her defence on social media demanding an apology from the retail giant.
But two months on, the 28-year- old mother of four has admitted that her story was fabricated.
Yesterday during a brief hearing at Leicester Crown Court she pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
She was warned she could face jail. According to sentencing guidelines, she could spend between four and 36 months behind bars.
Starmer, from Leicester, first revealed the supposed encounter in Primark in a Facebook post on breastfeeding group ‘Free to Feed’ on July 13.
She claimed a security guard had marched her nine-month- old daughter Paige out of the store, in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, after saying: ‘You can’t do that here.’
She later spoke to national newspapers about the ordeal and reported the incident to police. At the time, she said: ‘ When I tried to explain my daughter needed feeding and it was my right to breastfeed wherever I wanted he just ripped Paige off my breast. He said, “If you want your baby back, follow me”.’
She also described how she was left in ‘excruciating pain’ after the child’s teeth ‘clamped down’ on her breast.
Primark denied the allegations after reviewing its CCTV. A spokesman said the footage did not show an altercation and there were no employees matching the description Starmer gave. The company added that her claims were ‘ not supported by any available evidence’.
During yesterday’s hearing, Starmer was warned she could face jail, with judge Simon Hammond telling her: ‘This is a serious matter and the court will be considering a custodial sentence.’
The founder of the ‘Free to Feed’ group, which had initially backed Starmer, yesterday accused her of ‘fabricating lies’.
Campaigner Emily Slough wrote on the group’s page: ‘What possesses people to fabricate lies on this level and drag everyone else down with them will always be a mystery to us.
‘Our good nature and intent was completely abused by someone we believed in good faith, and wanted to help.’
Starmer refused to comment as she left court.
A Primark spokesman said last night: ‘Primark notes that Caroline Starmer has pleaded guilty to charges of perverting the course of justice.
‘The company wishes to thank its staff for their patience and understanding through this process.
‘We are pleased to have the opportunity 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.’
The case has been adjourned until December 3 for sentencing.