The police officer who is accused of Tasering a 95-year-old great-grandmother at an assisted living facility has been charged with three offenses. The woman passed away in the hospital.
For the offenses of assault causing actual bodily harm, common assault, and recklessly causing serious bodily harm, which carry a potential 10-year jail sentence, senior constable Kristian White, 33, is scheduled to appear in court.
On July 5, he is scheduled to appear in local court in Cooma.
Police allegedly Tasered Clare Nowland after discovering her in possession of a steak knife and a gun in her apartment at the Yallambee Lodge assisted living facility in Cooma.
Late on May 24, Guardian Australia reported that she had passed away.
The NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, said Nowland’s family had been advised of the charges pertaining to what she called a “nasty incident” at a hastily scheduled press conference on Wednesday night.
“The Nowland family have been informed of this development, and our prayers and thoughts are with Mrs. Nowland,” she added.
The incident resulted in serious injuries to the dementia sufferer, including a skull fracture.
Webb said she would wait until the investigation was complete before viewing the bodycam footage of the incident, despite pleas for its release.
Everyone in the police force has experienced trauma as a result of this, she claimed.
“The people of New South Wales have faith in their police department… Out of the more than 2 million calls for help we receive each year, this is only one incidence.
According to Webb, the charges can be increased depending on Nowland’s health. The investigators who “worked around the clock” to look into the situation were also acknowledged by the speaker.
She defended removing White from duty unpaid and added that everyone is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
He will continue to have the same opportunities as other residents, and his job will be reassessed, but for the time being, he is still suspended from work, she said.
On Wednesday night, Yasmin Catley, the minister of NSW police, sent her sympathies to the Nowland family.
Clare Nowland was a greatly loved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and she passed away. “On behalf of the NSW Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Nowland family for their loss,” Catley said.
We also send our condolences and best wishes to the Cooma neighborhood, Mrs. Nowland’s friends, and the Cooma Yallambee Lodge residents and staff. We ask that people respect the Nowland family’s privacy at this time as they grieve and will continue to support them.
