Nationwide — Kristian White, a former police officer in Australia, has avoided jail time after tasering a 95-year-old woman with dementia, who later died from her injuries. He was only sentenced to community service, a decision that left her family frustrated and heartbroken.
According to 1News, White was convicted last year of unlawfully killing Clare Nowland. The incident occurred in May 2023 at Yallambee Lodge, a nursing home in Cooma, New South Wales, where Nowland lived.
Court evidence included bodycam footage showing White firing his Taser as Nowland, who was slowly walking with a frame and holding a steak knife, approached. Just before firing, White was heard saying, “nah, bugger it.” Nowland fell, hit her head, and died a week later due to brain injuries.
Nowland’s children spoke emotionally during the trial, describing her death as brutal and undignified. Her son, Michael, called the sentence “a slap on the wrist” and said White showed no genuine remorse.
Judge Ian Harrison called White’s actions a “terrible mistake” but noted the crime ranked low on the scale of seriousness. He sentenced White to two years on a community corrections order, including 425 hours of community service.
White’s lawyers argued that his actions were a misjudgment, not intentional harm. Prosecutors disagreed, seeking jail time and criticizing White’s apology, which came just days before sentencing.
After his conviction, White was dismissed from the police force in December but is now appealing that decision. After sentencing, he embraced his wife in court. Outside, his lawyer said White’s family felt relief but recognized the tragedy’s weight.
As the sentence was read, members of Nowland’s family quietly wept, some leaving the courtroom in disbelief.
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