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AAP
AAP
National
Karen Sweeney

Woman told to leave court after breastfeeding protest

A woman has been asked to leave the County Court after staging a breastfeeding protest days after another woman was kicked out by a judge.

The judge's move last week drew ire in the community, including from advocates who called on him to apologise.

"Madam, you will not be permitted to breastfeed a baby in court. I'm sorry. I will have to ask you to leave," Judge Mark Gamble had told the woman.

"It will be a distraction for the jury at the very least."

The woman was seated in a back corner of the courtroom and was covered in a blanket.

Another woman brought her crying baby into court on Tuesday as the trial resumed.

She smiled and laughed when defence barrister Ian Hill, KC, asked her to take the baby outside, but did.

The woman returned when Judge Gamble was speaking to lawyers about what to do.

"The lady concerned has just exposed her breast and is breastfeeding the baby in court as we speak," Judge Gamble said.

"You might want to have a look behind you so you can gauge what we're dealing with."

Mr Hill said her presence would be distracting during his closing remarks in the trial.

Prosecutor Justin Lewis agreed, but said his chief concern was "the unsettled nature of the baby".

Judge Gamble said allowing the woman and the crying baby to remain would be distracting to jurors, which was unfair on them and on prosecutors.

"Madam I'm sorry, but I am going to have to ask you to leave the court with your baby. Thank you," he said.

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