A former police officer has escaped a jail sentence for fatally using a Taser on a 95-year-old woman with dementia at an aged care facility in Australia.
Kristian White claimed he employed the Taser to prevent a violent confrontation upon discovering Clare Nowland, disoriented and holding a small kitchen knife, in May 2023.
However, White was found guilty of manslaughter last November, as prosecutors contended his treatment of the great-grandmother, who died from her injuries, was excessively forceful.
The case instigated significant public anger, with the judge commenting it was “unlike any other” in his two decades on the bench.
Kristian White claimed he employed the Taser to prevent a violent confrontation upon discovering Clare Nowland, disoriented and holding a small kitchen knife, in May 2023.
However, White was found guilty of manslaughter last November, as prosecutors contended his treatment of the great-grandmother, who died from her injuries, was excessively forceful.
The case instigated significant public anger, with the judge commenting it was “unlike any other” in his two decades on the bench.
Justice Ian Harrison, when handing down the sentence at the NSW Supreme Court, stated that White’s actions at Yallambee Lodge near Canberra were “a terrible mistake”.
The reality, he said, was that Mrs. Nowland was a “frail and confused” 95-year-old who posed no real threat.
“Mr. White appears to have misread and misunderstood the situation entirely,” Mr. Harrison remarked.
Testimony showed White had responded to the care home around 04:00 on May 17, 2023, due to Mrs. Nowland wandering with serrated steak knives.
Body camera footage revealed he warned her to drop the knives while aiming his Taser, before ultimately firing, causing her to fall and sustain a fatal brain injury.
Although defence witnesses said Mrs. Nowland made them feel threatened, prosecutors argued that she was not a threat and that the officer acted too hastily, just three minutes after the confrontation began.
Mrs. Nowland’s family expressed their outrage and trauma, calling White’s actions “unfathomable” and “inhumane”.
“This gutless act has forever affected our lives,” stated her eldest son, Michael Nowland.
White had previously expressed he did not anticipate serious harm and was devastated by Mrs. Nowland’s death, writing an apology to her family.
Having served as a police officer for 12 years, White was dismissed from his position following the conviction.
Justice Harrison noted that a jail term was unnecessary, given the loss of job and social condemnation White faced, and the lack of risk for future misconduct.
Instead, he imposed a two-year community corrections order and 425 hours of community service.
Mrs. Nowland’s death sparked significant international criticism and examination of NSW Police’s use of force tactics, with Commissioner Karen Webb calling it a “terrible tragedy” but defending the appropriateness of the force’s Taser and training policies.
The reality, he said, was that Mrs. Nowland was a “frail and confused” 95-year-old who posed no real threat.
“Mr. White appears to have misread and misunderstood the situation entirely,” Mr. Harrison remarked.
Testimony showed White had responded to the care home around 04:00 on May 17, 2023, due to Mrs. Nowland wandering with serrated steak knives.
Body camera footage revealed he warned her to drop the knives while aiming his Taser, before ultimately firing, causing her to fall and sustain a fatal brain injury.
Although defence witnesses said Mrs. Nowland made them feel threatened, prosecutors argued that she was not a threat and that the officer acted too hastily, just three minutes after the confrontation began.
Mrs. Nowland’s family expressed their outrage and trauma, calling White’s actions “unfathomable” and “inhumane”.
“This gutless act has forever affected our lives,” stated her eldest son, Michael Nowland.
White had previously expressed he did not anticipate serious harm and was devastated by Mrs. Nowland’s death, writing an apology to her family.
Having served as a police officer for 12 years, White was dismissed from his position following the conviction.
Justice Harrison noted that a jail term was unnecessary, given the loss of job and social condemnation White faced, and the lack of risk for future misconduct.
Instead, he imposed a two-year community corrections order and 425 hours of community service.
Mrs. Nowland’s death sparked significant international criticism and examination of NSW Police’s use of force tactics, with Commissioner Karen Webb calling it a “terrible tragedy” but defending the appropriateness of the force’s Taser and training policies.
