Sydney: A former Australian police officer who fatally Tasered a 95-year-old woman has been sentenced to community service.
Kristian White was found guilty of manslaughter after shocking Clare Nowland in her nursing home in May 2023.
A jury rejected White’s defense that Nowland posed a threat and ruled he had breached his duty of care.
Justice Ian Harrison described White’s actions as a “terrible mistake” but placed his crime at the lower end of severity.
White received a two-year community corrections order, avoiding jail, sparking outrage from Nowland’s family.
Tragic Incident
Police were called to the Cooma nursing home after staff struggled to disarm Nowland, who showed dementia symptoms.
White spent three minutes trying to convince her to drop a steak knife before saying, “Nah, bugger it,” and using his Taser.
Nowland, who weighed only 47 kilos (103 pounds), fell, hit her head, and suffered a fractured skull.
She was hospitalized and passed away a week later, surrounded by her family.
Her death caused national outrage and renewed debates about police use of force.
Family’s Grief
Nowland’s son, Michael, called the sentence “a slap on the wrist” for the officer responsible for their mother’s death.
He and other family members described Nowland as the “axis” of their family, raising eight children alone.
Her daughter, Gemma Murphy, said she remains haunted by bodycam footage showing White’s words before using the Taser.
“The irreverent footage of my mother’s last moments has left an indelible mark on my psyche,” Murphy said.
Nowland’s funeral drew large crowds, which her daughter Jennifer Jordan said would have made her mother uncomfortable.
Judge’s Decision
Justice Harrison ruled that White had “misread” the situation, leading to his unlawful and dangerous use of the Taser.
White believed Nowland was a threat but was mistaken in assessing the danger she posed, the judge said.
While White lost his police job and was ostracized in his community, the court did not deem him a continued threat.
His two-year corrections order includes 425 hours of community service, with conditions like curfews and alcohol restrictions.
Harrison said a jail sentence was unnecessary, as White’s punishment should focus on accountability, not imprisonment.
White’s Apology
In a letter to Nowland’s family, White expressed regret and acknowledged the pain he caused.
“I deeply regret my actions and the severe consequences they have caused,” he wrote.
His lawyer, Warwick Anderson, said White’s family was relieved and hoped to move on.
The case has sparked discussions about police accountability and appropriate use of force on vulnerable individuals.
Nowland’s family continues to seek justice and honor her memory.
