Former NSW Police Officer Avoids Jail After Fatally Tasering 95-Year-Old

He walked free with a two-year community corrections order.

New South Wales Police in Sydney, Aug. 16, 2013. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

A former police officer who fatally tasered a 95-year-old woman at an aged care facility has avoided jail, despite the tragic outcome.

Ex-senior constable Kristian James Samuel White walked free from the NSW Supreme Court on March 28, subject to strict conditions.

White received a two-year community corrections order, requiring him to perform 425 hours of community service and maintain good behaviour.

The incident occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged-care home in Cooma, southern NSW, in the early hours of May 17, 2023.

Police were called after Clare Nowland, a great-grandmother with dementia, was seen holding a knife while using a walking frame. Despite the efforts of staff to disarm her, Nowland did not comply.

The 35-year-old officer then said, “Nah, bugger it,” and fired his Taser at Nowland’s chest. The elderly woman fell, hit her head, and suffered a brain bleed. She died in hospital a week later.

Judge Calls Tasering a ‘Terrible Mistake’

In his ruling, Justice Ian Harrison described White’s actions as a “terrible mistake” but placed the crime at the lower end of seriousness for manslaughter cases.

He said White had misread the situation and acted unlawfully by deploying the stun gun within minutes of arriving.

“A frail and confused 95-year-old woman in fact posed nothing that could reasonably be described as a threat of any substance,” Justice Harrison said.

He also acknowledged the grief and frustration of Nowland’s family, adding that the situation could have been handled much better.

However, the judge noted that White was responding as a police officer lawfully called to manage the situation. “He could not have chosen to do nothing,” Justice Harrison said.

Family Reaction and Legal Outcome

Outside the court, Nowland’s eldest son, Michael, expressed disappointment, calling the sentence “a slap on the wrist” and saying it was difficult for the family to process.

White’s lawyer, Warwick Anderson, told reporters the former officer and his family were relieved by the outcome and planned to move forward.

Since the incident, White has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and PTSD and will leave Cooma due to hostility from the local community.

White was removed from the police force after being found guilty but is seeking a review of that decision.

In a letter to Nowland’s family, he apologised, saying, “I take full responsibility for my actions—I felt and still feel horrible for what happened.”

He added, “I understand that you suffer greatly,” while acknowledging he did not expect forgiveness.

AAP contributed to this article