Caroline Starmer, who falsely claimed security guard pulled baby away from her, is told court will consider custodial sentence

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A mother has been warned she could be sent to jail after lying about a Primark security guard taking her baby from her while breastfeeding.

Caroline Starmer, 28, posted on Facebook that the guard took her nine-month-old daughter Paige from her on 13 July at the store in Humberstone Gate, Leicester.

The story was then widely reported in the media and in interviews she claimed a male security guard grabbed the child from her breast.

Speaking at the time, Starmer, of Woodgate, Leicester, said the incident was “horrific”.

She wrote on Facebook: “My 9.5-month-old daughter started crying, needing a feed and the queues were pretty long, so to save my daughter the upset, and the other customers too, I decided to find a quiet spot out the way of others and feed her discreetly.

“Within five minutes of doing so, I was approached by a security guard who asked me to vacate the premises to feed my daughter.

“I stood my ground and stated my rights, that I can legally feed where I want… Just for the security officer to physically remove my daughter from my breast and walk down the store with her, saying if I wanted my daughter, then I was to come and get her. My confidence is shot, and my poor daughter hasn’t been herself all afternoon.”

Appearing at Leicester crown court on Thursday wearing a black top and blue jeans, Starmer admitted lying about the incident.

She will be sentenced for intending to pervert the course of justice on 3 December.

Judge Simon Hammond told Starmer: “This is a very serious matter. The court will consider a custodial sentence.”

A Primark spokesman said: “Caroline 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. This allegation was untrue.

“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.”

Starmer declined to comment outside the court.