Ex-Police Officer Avoids Jail in Elderly Manslaughter Case

Former police officer Kristian White avoided prison for the manslaughter of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, sentenced to community service instead. Despite family disappointment, the judge deemed prison disproportionate. The incident stemmed from White's use of a stun gun on Nowland, resulting in her death from a brain injury.

Kristian White, a former Australian police officer, dodged a jail sentence after being convicted of manslaughter for killing 95-year-old Clare Nowland. White received a sentence of 450 community service hours and two years under corrections supervision, following a controversial decision that left Nowland's family disappointed.

The New South Wales state Supreme Court judge, Ian Harrison, described White's actions as a 'terrible mistake,' arguing that imprisonment would be disproportionate for what was perceived as a lower-tier wrongful death. Despite calls from prosecutors for a harsher sentence, the judge's verdict reflected the belief that the elderly victim posed no real threat.

The tragedy unfolded on May 17, 2023, when police were called to a nursing home where Nowland was seen carrying a steak knife. White's quick deployment of a Taser resulted in Nowland's fatal fall, leading to her death a week later. The decision not to incarcerate White has sparked debate about justice and accountability in cases involving law enforcement.

(With inputs from agencies.)