Taser grandmother, 95, dies after assault by police officer
A 95-year-old grandmother who received an electric shock from a superior officer dies, after a police officer was accused of recklessly harming her
- A police officer was charged by Taser grandmother
- Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, faces three counts
- One charge was ‘recklessly causing grievous bodily harm’
A 95-year-old great-grandmother who was attacked by a police officer at a nursing home last week has died.
Clare Nowland, a person with dementia who weighed just 43kg, was holding a steak knife when she “slowly” approached the officer at Yallambee Lodge in southern New South Wales just after 4am last Wednesday.
Lead Constable Kristian White, 33, then fired a Taser at Ms Nowland, causing her to collapse to the ground, hitting her head and suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Her death was confirmed shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, with relatives saying she died surrounded by family members at Cooma Hospital.
Just hours earlier, White was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily injury, assault causing actual bodily injury, and common assault.
Speaking at a press conference announcing the charges, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb indicated they could be strengthened if Ms Nowland died.
Clare Nowland (pictured after participating in a parachute jump in 2008) was holding a steak knife as she “slowly” approached the police officer.
Senior Constable Kristian White White (pictured at a police parade) was charged Wednesday night with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault causing actual bodily harm and common battery.
“This matter is now before the court and there is little more I can say on the matter other than to say that the Nowland family have been made aware of this development.”
Commissioner Webb added that her “thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Nowland and her family tonight.”
White is due to appear in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Of the charges he faces, recklessly causing serious bodily injury carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail.
Assault causing actual bodily harm carries a prison sentence of up to seven years, while being convicted of common assault could lead to up to two years behind bars.
The officer remains suspended from duty with pay.
Ms Nowland (pictured) is now receiving end-of-life care at Cooma District Hospital in southern NSW after she was tasered by an officer last Wednesday morning .
Commissioner Webb said that “his employment will continue to be reviewed, but for the time being, he is still suspended from the workplace.”
He added that the charges against White could be improved. ‘It’s possible. It depends on what happens,’ she said.
Asked why she would not post the footage of Ms Nowland being tasered, she replied: “I’m not the investigator.”
Investigations into the critical incident continue.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) said her “thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Nowland and her family tonight.”
The Yallambee Lodge in southern New South Wales is shown where the Taser incident occurred
.