Women breastfeed babies during a mass event in Athens November 2, 2014. Hundreds of women gathered and fed babies in public to raise awareness among young mothers on the practice at the beginning of the annual World Breastfeeding Week.
IN PHOTO: Women breastfeed babies during a mass event in Athens November 2, 2014. Hundreds of women gathered and fed babies in public to raise awareness among young mothers on the practice at the beginning of the annual World Breastfeeding Week. REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis (GREECE - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY) TEMPLATE OUT

A woman from Western Australia has been charged for “squirting” breast milk at a police officer. She was denied bail for the alleged assault.

Acting Sergeant Mick Slaughter, from the Western Australia police department said, the 26-year-old Erica Leeder was arrested last Mar. 24 with a warrant. She was then taken to the Rockingham police station, reports Perth Now.

Slaughter said he was at the Rockingham police station when Leeder was brought in for processing. The police officer refused to reveal what provoked the woman to commit the alleged assault. Earlier reports had claimed the woman, who is from the Perth suburb of Calista, was subjected to a body search by a female police officer at the Rockingham shopping centre. The woman was naked from the waist up after the search was done.

As Leeder put her clothes back in order, she reportedly grabbed her breast and squirted milk at the police officer, hitting her on the arms and forehead. The policewoman’s clothing was also soiled from the milk. Leeder was then charged for assault after the squirting incident.

Leeder appeared in the Fremantle Magistrates Court and was denied bail. The magistrate said it was not safe to allow the woman out on bail. She was remanded in custody and was ordered to agree to a mental health assessment.

The Guardian reports that it was not uncommon for an individual to be charged with assaulting a police officer. Spitting on a police officer can be described as an assault. Slaughter said it was the first time he heard of an arrest involving the squirting of breast milk. If convicted, Leeder could be serving an 18-month sentence in jail or an $18,000.

In other news about breast milk , the black market for human milk continues to alarm authorities. New studies have warned of bacterial growth in some breast milk sold online. Researchers found that one in four samples of breast milk bought online are not properly refrigerated, reports The Australian. Mothers who buy breast milk from such markets may be putting their babies at risk.

Breastfeeding expert Karleen Gribble said Australia has no commercial market for breast milk. She urged mothers to know the difference between sold and shared breast milk. However, the need for more regulated milk banks in the country could help premature babies in critical condition. She said her own research had found mothers who give out their own breast milk were motivated by their willingness to help and not for financial reasons.

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