Family horrified by police statement on tasering of Clare Nowland
The family of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who tragically passed away after being tasered at an aged care home in regional NSW, have been shown distressing new details of the incident that were revealed in a police officer's court briefing.
Senior Constable Kristian White, who served in the NSW Police Force for 12 years, was charged in connection with the tasering incident that resulted in the injury of Nowland at the Yallambee Lodge aged care home in Cooma in May. He has been suspended from duty since the incident and faces charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.
According to the police statement of facts, White allegedly made the statement, "See you are going to get tasered," to Nowland after activating a warning arc, which demonstrated the electrical arc produced by the device.
He purportedly then followed this with the words, "Clare stop."
At the time, Nowland was holding a knife and was positioned approximately two metres away from another officer.
White then allegedly uttered, "Stop just... na bugger it," before deploying the taser. As a result, Nowland, still clutching her walking frame, fell backwards and hit her head forcefully on the wooden floor.
Upon being taken to Cooma Hospital, it was discovered that Nowland had suffered an inoperable brain bleed, which ultimately led to her passing.
The standard operating procedures of the NSW Police explicitly state that the taser should not be used against elderly or disabled individuals unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
Following a bail hearing at the Supreme Court, the family of Nowland received a copy of the police facts sheet, which was subsequently released to the public. They have requested privacy and space as they process the provided information, as expressed by their solicitor, Sam Tierney, who described the facts alleged against White as "extremely confronting and shocking".
As part of the conditions set during Tuesday's bail hearing, White is required to maintain good behaviour, attend court as directed, and refrain from contacting Nowland's family or prosecution witnesses, except through legal representation. These conditions were not contested by White or his legal team.
No plea has been entered for any of the charges against White, and the case is scheduled to be heard again at Cooma Local Court on September 6.
Images: NSW Police