Prosecutors have announced their intention to challenge a ruling that exempted former police officer Kristian White from prison time for the manslaughter of Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old great-grandmother. White was found guilty of manslaughter after using a Taser to shoot Nowland at an aged care facility in New South Wales on May 17, 2023.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the New South Wales Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that an appeal would be filed over the insufficiency of the punishment given to White. The spokesperson’s statement came after Justice Ian Harrison sentenced White to a two-year community corrections order, which includes 425 hours of community service and regular check-ins with a community corrections officer.

According to Justice Harrison’s reasoning, the severity of the incident was deemed low enough to prevent a prison sentence, as White was not considered a danger to the community. The judge also noted that White’s access to the Taser was part of his police duties, lowering the likelihood of a similar incident occurring. White lost his job as a police officer after his conviction.

In a letter read to the court, White expressed “true regret” for his actions and accepted complete responsibility. The incident occurred when White was responding to a call about Nowland, who had dementia, walking around the property with a serrated knife. White ordered her to put down the knife, and when Nowland did not, he fired his Taser at her, leading to her fall and subsequent death from brain bleeding.

The family of Clare Nowland criticized the initial sentence, with her son, Michael Nowland, calling it a “slap on the wrist.” Both Michael and Nowland’s daughter, Leslie Lloyd, emphasized their desire for justice for Nowland’s death.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/03/kristian-white-nsw-prosecutors-appeal-no-jail-sentence-manslaughter-clare-nowland-ntwnfb