Former New South Wales police officer Kristian White has been sentenced for the manslaughter of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, a nursing home resident, after using a Taser on her during a confrontation.

The incident occurred on May 17, 2023, when White was called to the scene after Nowland, who suffered from dementia, was reported for wandering with a steak knife.

Following a trial, White was found guilty of manslaughter on November 27, 2023, with prosecutors arguing that his use of force was grossly disproportionate to the situation.

Nowland's son, Michael, expressed the family's frustration, stating the sentence felt like a 'slap on the wrist' for the loss of their mother.

On March 28, 2025, White was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order and required to complete 425 hours of community service, a decision that disappointed Nowland's family.

The Nowland family has voiced their discontent over the decision not to detain White after his conviction, feeling that justice has not been served.

In a letter to the Nowland family, White expressed remorse for his actions, stating he was 'devastated' by her death and did not expect her to be significantly injured.

White fired his Taser within three minutes of encountering Nowland, who did not comply with his orders to drop the knife, causing her to fall and sustain serious injuries.

The case has sparked significant public outrage and scrutiny regarding the use of Tasers by NSW Police, with Commissioner Karen Webb labeling it a 'terrible tragedy'.

In a sentencing hearing held in November 2024, Justice Ian Harrison described White's actions as a 'terrible mistake' but ruled that the crime was at the lower end of objective seriousness.

Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield argued for full-time custody, emphasizing the severity of the offense and its impact on Nowland's family and the community.

Nowland, who was frail and weighed only 47 kg, was described as struggling to comply with commands during the confrontation, underscoring the tragic nature of the incident.