Court case continues for cop who tasered elderly woman

The case of a NSW police officer who was charged following the death of a 95-year-old woman, after she was tasered in a nursing home, has been mentioned in court.

Lawyers for Senior Constable Kristian White were in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday, when prosecutors confirmed a brief of evidence had been provided to the defence.

White, 33, was not in court, having been previously excused from appearing by Magistrate Roger Clisdell until his committal hearing.

White is charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault related to an event at a Cooma nursing home on May 17.

White is accused of tasering great-grandmother Clare Nowland after she was repeatedly asked by staff, paramedics and police to drop a serrated knife.

A NSW Police statement of facts, previously presented to the court, alleges White warned Ms Nowland to drop the knife before saying “stop just ... na bugger it” and deploying his Taser.

Prosecutors have alleged White’s actions were a “grossly disproportionate response and excessive use of force to the threat posed”, given Mrs Nowland's age and infirmity.

In court on Wednesday, White’s lawyer asked for an eight-week adjournment for a charge certification, which will show all the charges the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions intends to take to trial.

White, who is suspended without pay from the police force, is yet to enter a plea.

The matter will return to Cooma Local Court on December 6.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store