NSW Police Officer Surrenders Passport In Taser-Related Death Of 95-Year-Old Clare Nowland

The New South Wales police accused of tasering 95-year-old Clare Nowland has handed over his passport after charges against him were upgraded to manslaughter.

The great-grandmother was allegedly tasered by Kristian James Samuel White at the Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma on May 17.

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The 33-year-old caused Mrs Nowland to fall and hit her head, resulting in an eight-centimetre bruise to the back of her head.

Mrs Nowland died a week later in Cooma Hospital after suffering an inoperable bleed on the brain.

Senior Constable White was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault. 

He then received an additional charge of manslaughter on November 29 following advice from the Office of the NSW’s Director of Public Prosecutions.

On Wednesday, Senior Constable White appeared in person at the Cooma Local Court for the first time since the charge was upgraded. 

Cooma Local Court Magistrate Roger Clisdell continued Senior Constable White’s bail, but ordered him to surrender his passport and not leave the country to the additional manslaughter charge. 

Crown prosecutor Victoria Garrity said: “There is heightened risk that he may leave the jurisdiction and he will not appear before the court.”

“It’s been known to happen but it’s rare.”

The magistrate agreed to impose the bail conditions and committed Senior Constable White’s next mention hearing on February 7, in which he is not required to appear.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate he surrender his passport … it’s about as useful as good behaviour,” Clisdell said.

Ms Nowland’s family members released an official statement via their lawyer, Sam Tierney, after Wednesday’s proceedings.

“The Nowland family were present at court today when the NSW DPP advised the court that NSW Police have now laid a charge of manslaughter/unlawful killing against Mr White in relation to his tasering of Clare,” said in the statement.

“The family does not wish to comment further on the criminal process at this time given the extremely serious nature of the charge against Mr White, who continues to be a sworn NSW police officer.”

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