Family of grandmother who died after she was allegedly tasered by police are suing the NSW government
- Clare Nowland’s family are suing the NSW government
- The 95-year-old was allegedly tasered by a police officer
The family of 95-year-old Clare Nowland who died after being tasered by police at her retirement home are suing the New South Wales government over the incident.
The case was scheduled to appear before a Bega court on Tuesday morning and was adjourned without appearing before a court judge.
The case was postponed for six weeks and will return on August 22.
It is understood that a civil suit was brought against the NSW government while Ms Nowland fought for her life at Cooma Base Hospital in May.
The case is currently listed as being brought by the 95-year-old herself, but will be continued by her family after the great-grandmother’s death.
Nowland was allegedly tasered on May 17 by senior officer Kristian White, 33, at Yallambee Lodge, southern NSW.
Senior Constable White (pictured last week) has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault with actual bodily harm and ordinary assault
Clare Nowland (pictured), a dementia sufferer who weighed just 43kg, died at Cooma Hospital in southern NSW a week after being tasered by the officer
Ms Nowland died on 24 May from injuries sustained when she fell and hit her head.
The demented, who weighed just 43kg, was holding a steak knife and “slowly” approaching police in her walker when she was tasered.
Snr Constable White has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault involving actual bodily harm and common assault.
White appeared before the local court of Cooma Court on July 5 via video link. No plea has been entered on any of the charges.
Senior Constable Kristian White appeared in Cooma local court (pictured) on July 5 via video link over the tasing of great-grandmother Clare Nowland
The most serious charge, recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The 33-year-old was suspended with pay by NSW Police following the incident.
On June 13, Mrs. Nowland was said goodbye at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cooma, where the great-grandmother had been a resident parishioner and pastoral assistant.
The celebration recognized Ms. Nowland’s long life of helping others, her love for her large family and her faith.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter has described bodycam footage of the Tasering as ‘confrontational’, while Commissioner Karen Webb has refused to look at it as police investigate the incident.