The 95-year-old grandmother who was attacked by a police officer at a nursing home has died.
Clare Nowland, a person with dementia who weighs just 43kg, was holding a steak knife as she “slowly” approached a police officer at the Yallambee Lodge in the southern United States. New south Wales just after 4 am 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.
She is receiving end-of-life care at the hospital.
White was charged Wednesday night with recklessly causing grievous bodily injury, assault causing actual bodily injury and common assault.
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.
Speaking at a press conference, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said: “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 informed 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