The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is challenging the sentence handed down to former NSW Senior Constable Kristian White last week for the manslaughter of 95-year-old aged care resident Clare Nowland.
Last Friday (28 March), White received a two-year Community Correction Order (CCO) with the conditions he is not to commit another offence, 425 hours of community service work, and supervision by a community corrections officer.
Her family described the sentence as a "slap on the wrist" and Michael Nowland, Clare's son, said it was "very hard to process".
On Wednesday (2 April), a spokesperson for the ODPP said in a statement, "After careful consideration of the judgement, the director has determined to file an appeal against the inadequacy of the sentence imposed in this matter."
White, 35, Tasered Clare at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, 114km south of Canberra, on 17 May 2023 after she held up a knife up to him during an altercation.
White was convicted last November after an eight-day trial heard he said “nah, bugger it” before he discharged his Taser at the resident. She fell and hit her head and died seven days later in hospital.
