While not quite a case of assault with a deadly vegetable, an Australian man has been convicted of breathing on a policeman after chewing garlic.

Local media reported that Jeff Pearce was convicted of assault in a Perth court after admitting he had deliberately chewed a clove of garlic and then breathed into a policeman's face after being pulled over for a traffic offense.

A section of the local criminal code defines assault as the direct or indirect application of force, including gas or odor, in such a manner as to cause personal discomfort.

[Commercial Appeal, Apr. 21,1997.]

Article copyright American Botanical Council.

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By Barbara A. Johnston