Teaching assistant arrested over alleged fart spray incident

A U.S. teaching assistant has been charged after allegedly using a smelly ‘poop spray’ multiple times, disrupting school over the course of several weeks.

A teaching assistant was arrested for allegedly using a fart spray on “multiple occasions” at a high school in South Carolina.

Authorities allege that Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis, 32, of Florence, S.C., dispersed a product that emitted a “foul” poo-like smell, which caused children to require medical attention due to respiratory problems.

Police said the spray incidents cost West Florence High School more than US$55,000 for inspection and damage to the air conditioning system.

“The investigation into this matter is ongoing and additional charges are possible,” according to a press release from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 20.

The sheriff’s office said Lewis was arrested on Sept. 19. He was charged with disturbing schools and causing malicious injury to property, read the release.

The suspect was “not interested in making any comment at this time,” a man who said he was Lewis’s brother told ABC News on Tuesday.

Investigators said the incidents happened between Aug. 25 and Sept. 19.

Students complained of nausea, dizziness and headaches from the stinky smell, reported ABC affiliate station WPDE in Florence.

Lewis is being held at a detention centre while awaiting a bond hearing, the press release from police read. The suspect allegedly acquired the spray from the internet, it added.