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Taser victim's family break silence following verdict

<p>Clare Nowland's daughter, Kerrie Paske, has broken her silence for the first time in 18 months since her 95-year-old mum died after she was tasered by a police officer. </p> <p>On Wednesday, after Senior Constable Kristian White was found <a href="https://o60.me/6lspig" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guilty of the manslaughter</a> of her mother, Kerrie finally opened up about her grief.</p> <p>"What happened to mum shouldn't have happened. She didn't deserve it," she told <em>A Current Affair</em>. </p> <p>Kerrie broke down in tears outside the NSW Supreme Court after the jury handed down its verdict, </p> <p>She recalled the final conversation she had with her mother shortly after the incident. </p> <p>"Right at the end I just told her how much I loved her and thanked her for a beautiful life," she told<em> A Current Affair</em>.</p> <p>"Pretty quickly after that she went."</p> <p>Kerrie is one of Nowland's eight children, and said that the jury's verdict was "good news" for all of them. </p> <p>"We all think we got the best mum, she was a good mum. She was a tough lady," she added. </p> <p>"She didn't deserve that, she really didn't." </p> <p>While Nowland's family maintained their silence since her death, Kerrie revealed that they were worried their mother's memory would be tarnished because she was holding a knife during the confrontation with police. </p> <p>"At the very start of all this court case they were painting a real picture of Mum being a really vicious sort of a lady - or that's how I felt," Kerrie recalled. </p> <p>"That worried me a little bit but she's just not like that."</p> <p>"It's all very well mentioning this knife but she used to get fixated on things. It used to be pens," she explained.</p> <p>"When we first heard (of the confrontation), I thought 'I bet she thought she had a pen in her hand', but she didn't."</p> <p>Nowland is survived by her eight children, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, with many of them coming from Cooma to sit in the public gallery throughout the trial. </p> <p>Following the guilty verdict, Senior Constable White's employment is "under review", as he was previously suspended with pay throughout the proceedings. </p> <p>"The officer's employment is currently under review. I expect to consider that matter next week," NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. </p> <p>"The death of Clare Nowland is a terrible tragedy and my deepest condolences go to the Nowland family,' Commissioner Webb added.</p> <p>"This should never have happened."</p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

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Cop who fatally tasered grandmother learns fate

<p>A jury has found a police officer guilty of manslaughter after he fatally tasered a grandmother in a care home. </p> <p>Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White, 34, discharged his stun gun at 95-year-old Clare Nowland in a treatment room at Yallambee Lodge aged-care home in the southern NSW town of Cooma during the early hours of May 17th 2023.</p> <p>In video footage played at his NSW Supreme Court trial, he was heard saying “nah, bugger it” before shooting the great-grandmother, who was holding a knife, in the torso. </p> <p>Nowland fell and hit her head, and died in hospital a week later. </p> <p>During the trial, the jurors heard eight days of evidence and submissions in the trial, including from the nursing staff, paramedics and White’s police supervisor who were there at the time he fired.</p> <p>After deliberating for 20 hours, a 12-person jury returned with a guilty verdict of manslaughter on Wednesday in the NSW Supreme Court.</p> <p>The offence of manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison in New South Wales. </p> <p>The Crown has applied for White to be taken in custody ahead of sentencing, with the application to be determined on Thursday.</p> <p>The family of Clare Nowland issued a statement through their lawyer Sam Tierney, which read, “The Nowland family were present in court today when Kristian White was convicted of the manslaughter of their beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Clare.”</p> <p>“The family will take some time to come to terms with the jury’s confirmation that Clare’s death at the hands of a serving NSW police officer was a criminal and unjustified act. The family would like to thank the Judge and jury for carefully considering the matter and the DPP prosecution team for their hard work.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

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Court views footage of final moments before Clare Nowland was tasered

<p>A registered nurse with nearly 50 years of experience has expressed her deep concern regarding the tasering of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, a resident at Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma, New South Wales.</p> <p>The incident occurred in the early hours of May 17, 2023, and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/clare-nowland-dies-officer-charged" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resulted in Nowland's death</a>, a great-grandmother suffering from dementia.</p> <p>Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White, 34, is currently on trial in the NSW Supreme Court facing manslaughter charges related to the incident. He has pleaded not guilty, asserting that he acted lawfully under his duties as a police officer.</p> <p>During her testimony, Nurse Rosaline Baker recounted her alarm when she called triple-0 after Nowland had grabbed two steak knives and a jug of prunes from the kitchen. Following her call for help, White and Acting Sergeant Rachel Pank arrived on the scene after two paramedics. Together with Baker, they located Nowland in a treatment room. When White pulled out his taser, Baker admitted she was unfamiliar with the device and felt "kind of curious". However, her curiosity turned to horror when she heard a loud noise and witnessed Nowland being struck by the stun gun. "I was very, very concerned when she was falling to the ground," Baker stated in court.</p> <p>The trial has revealed troubling details about Nowland's condition and behaviour leading up to that fateful night. Expert testimony indicated that her behaviour had escalated over the three months prior to her death. She exhibited increasingly anti-social behaviour, such as taking food from other residents, attempting to undress in public areas, and refusing assistance from staff. CCTV footage presented during the trial showed Nowland physically lashing out at staff members and even getting stuck in a tree, as well as footage showing the final moments of Nowland's life as she hid from emergency service staff – including Senior Constable White.</p> <p>Nowland had been admitted to the hospital on April 16 and prescribed the anti-psychotic drug Risperdal to manage her aggressive behaviour after incidents involving punching and biting staff. Under questioning by defence barrister Troy Edwards SC, an expert acknowledged that Nowland's behaviour just before she was tasered could have been influenced by a recent reduction in her medication dosage.</p> <p>The trial continues.</p> <p><em>Images: 7 News</em></p>

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"Welcome to the world": TV stars share heartwarming news

<p>A fan favourite couple from the 2023 season of <em>Farmer Wants a Wife</em> have announced some heartwarming family news. </p> <p>Brad Jones and Clare Hockings took to Instagram to announce the birth of their first child together. </p> <p>“Roy Grahame Jones has arrived,” Brad, 32, wrote in the caption.</p> <p>Their announcement was flooded with well wishes for the new parents and baby Roy, with the post racking up almost 10,000 likes. </p> <p>Their fellow <em>Farmer Wants a Wife</em> contestant David McMahon shared a comment for the couple, writing, "Very happy for you both! Welcome to the world Master Jones."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0i6z2qhLnv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0i6z2qhLnv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Brad Jones (@farmerbradau)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple first announced their pregnancy in June, just one month after the show finished airing.</p> <p>At the time, Clare, 28, posted a picture of herself with Brad on their Cootamundra farm, showcasing a pair of baby booties resting on top of a saddle.</p> <p>“We’re so excited to meet our newest little farm hand!” the excited mum-to-be said in the caption.</p> <p>“Baby Jones due December.” </p> <p>Brad opened up about the surprise pregnancy in <em><a href="https://www.newidea.com.au/farmer-wants-a-wife-brad-clare-pregnant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Idea</a></em> at the time, admitting they “didn’t think it would happen as quick as it did”.</p> <p>Despite the news of their growing family coming as a shock to the couple, starting a family was always on the cards for the couple, as they told <a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>7Life</em></a> shortly after the series ended that they were <br />"ready to settle down". </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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Twist for cop accused of killing Clare Nowland

<p>Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White, 33, who was accused of killing 95-year-old Clare Nowland <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/family-horrified-by-police-statement-on-tasering-of-clare-nowland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with a taser</a> at an aged care home in Cooma, regional NSW has been deemed a “flight risk”. </p> <p>White was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault over the alleged “excessive use of force”.</p> <p>It is alleged that Nowland was using a walker and holding a serrated steak knife at the time of the incident, when the 33-year-old said “stop, just … nah bugger it” before allegedly tasering her. </p> <p>The great-grandmother fell backwards and fractured her skull, causing an inoperable brain injury that unfortunately led to her death just days later. </p> <p>Just last week, White's charges were upgraded to include an additional charge of manslaughter on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.</p> <p>White appeared in court on Wednesday, for the first time since his charges were upgraded, and received two new bail conditions. </p> <p>The Constable was required to surrender his passport and not leave the country due to the upgraded charges. </p> <p>However, prior to his bail conditions being approved, Magistrate Roger Clisdell criticised both Crown prosecutor Victoria Garrity, and White's defence lawyer Warwick Anderson for negotiating the new terms of bail without his input. </p> <p>“I make the decision,” he said.</p> <p>“I would have thought my last explosion would have caused you to be more sensitive to my position.”</p> <p>This comes after the prosecutors failed to tell the Magistrate that they had agreed to allow White to appear in court via video link in May, without the court's consent.</p> <p>The Crown prosecutor defended her actions by saying that she asked him to surrender his passport to mitigate the risk of flight. </p> <p>“With the more serious charge now being faced, there is a heightened risk that he would leave the jurisdiction and not face court,”  she explained. </p> <p>“Those two new conditions are now appropriate.”</p> <p>While the police officer's defence lawyer added that “He has no intention of fleeing the jurisdiction," and agreed to the additional bail conditions “to facilitate the speedy resolution”. </p> <p>White will return to court in February next year. </p> <p>Nowland's family members released a statement via their lawyer after the proceedings on Wednesday. </p> <p>“The family does not wish to comment further on the criminal process at this time given the extremely serious nature of the charge against Mr White, who continues to be a sworn NSW police officer,” the statement read. </p> <p>NSW Police confirmed that White remained suspended from duty with pay.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC News South East NSW: Floss Adams/ News.com.au</em></p>

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Major update in fatal tasering charges

<p>The police officer who allegedly tasered 95-year-old Clare Nowland has had his charges upgraded to manslaughter. </p> <p>Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, was called to Nowland's nursing home in Cooma on May 17th when she was suffering from a medical episode, before allegedly tasering the senior woman. </p> <p>Nowland, who had dementia, was wandering around her care home with two knives when police arrived and the alleged tasering took place. </p> <p>A week after the incident, she died in hospital from the injuries she sustained. </p> <p>While she was still fighting for life in hospital, Nowland's family filed a civil case against the state of NSW for negligence and trespass to a person, launching an investigation into the incident.</p> <p>Earlier this year, the police officer was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault over the incident.</p> <p>On Wednesday, police upgraded Constable White's charges, charging him with manslaughter after receiving advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and State Crime Command’s homicide squad.</p> <p>Constable White remains suspended from duty with full pay and on bail in the Cooma community, where is prohibited from interacting with any of Mrs Nowland’s eight children, 24 grandchildren, or 30 great-grandchildren.</p> <p>He will next appear at Cooma Local Court on December 6th.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook / Nine News</em></p>

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Family horrified by police statement on tasering of Clare Nowland

<p>The family of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who tragically passed away after being tasered at an aged care home in regional NSW, have been shown distressing new details of the incident that were revealed in a police officer's court briefing.</p> <p>Senior Constable Kristian White, who served in the NSW Police Force for 12 years, was charged in connection with the tasering incident that resulted in the injury of Nowland at the Yallambee Lodge aged care home in Cooma in May. He has been suspended from duty since the incident and faces charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.</p> <p>According to the police statement of facts, White allegedly made the statement, "See you are going to get tasered," to Nowland after activating a warning arc, which demonstrated the electrical arc produced by the device.</p> <p>He purportedly then followed this with the words, "Clare stop."</p> <p>At the time, Nowland was holding a knife and was positioned approximately two metres away from another officer.</p> <p>White then allegedly uttered, "Stop just... na bugger it," before deploying the taser. As a result, Nowland, still clutching her walking frame, fell backwards and hit her head forcefully on the wooden floor.</p> <p>Upon being taken to Cooma Hospital, it was discovered that Nowland had suffered an inoperable brain bleed, which ultimately led to her passing.</p> <p>The standard operating procedures of the NSW Police explicitly state that the taser should not be used against elderly or disabled individuals unless there are extraordinary circumstances.</p> <p>Following a bail hearing at the Supreme Court, the family of Nowland received a copy of the police facts sheet, which was subsequently released to the public. They have requested privacy and space as they process the provided information, as expressed by their solicitor, Sam Tierney, who described the facts alleged against White as "extremely confronting and shocking".</p> <p>As part of the conditions set during Tuesday's bail hearing, White is required to maintain good behaviour, attend court as directed, and refrain from contacting Nowland's family or prosecution witnesses, except through legal representation. These conditions were not contested by White or his legal team.</p> <p>No plea has been entered for any of the charges against White, and the case is scheduled to be heard again at Cooma Local Court on September 6.</p> <p><em>Images: NSW Police</em></p>

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Officer charged with fatal tasering causes chaos in court

<p>A magistrate has expressed his "absolute disgust" after the NSW police officer charged with the fatal tasering of a 95-year-old failed to show up in person for court. </p> <p>Kristian White, 33, appeared via audiovisual link in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday after being charged with discharging his weapon at Clare Nowland, a dementia patient at an aged care facility in Cooma, who fell backwards from the tasering and sustained fatal injuries.</p> <p>As the virtual court began, Magistrate Roger Clisdell blasted the crown prosecutor’s decision to allow the suspended police officer to appear via a video link. </p> <p>“Who runs this court, Ms Stuart? You or me?” he asked crown prosecutor Sally Stuart in a raised voice.</p> <p>He said he felt “absolute disgust” that the decision had blindsided him, which meant that “dumbo here sitting on the bench just has to suck it up.”</p> <p>The magistrate went on to note that the court had employed several extra security personnel “at great expense” in anticipation of the highly publicised appearance, given the media storm surrounding Ms Nowland's death. </p> <p>There was no reason given as to why Mr White didn't show up for court in person, given he is currently living in the community under no restrictions. </p> <p>In a confusing move, Ms Stuart asked the court to impose a condition which would compel him to appear in court in future.</p> <p>Mr Clisdell blasted the hypocritical application, asking, “You excused him today, so why should I put him at your beck and call, not mine?”</p> <p>Ms Stuart eventually conceded that police should have imposed bail conditions on Mr White when he was charged with the serious offences. </p> <p>“It is probably something that should have been considered at the time but that decision was made by police,” she said.</p> <p>Mr White’s lawyer Warwick Anderson opposed the request for his client to be placed on bail, telling the court it had no “meaningful efficacy”.</p> <p>Despite the magistrate's previous outrage, he agreed and branded the crown application an attempt to placate anyone who might be “upset” about the officer’s lack of restrictions. </p> <p>He declined to impose bail on the 33-year-old and said he would be excused from attending court on the next occasion.</p> <p>Mr White maintained a blank face as he listened to the Magistrate’s tirade from an undisclosed location. </p> <p>The matter will return to court in September and it will be managed by the DPP.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News / Facebook</em></p> <div class="media image" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 705.202209px; margin-bottom: 24px; max-width: 100%;"> </div>

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Damning first draft of Clare Nowland statement found

<p dir="ltr">New documents have brought forth allegations that the NSW police force removed key elements in their initial statement regarding the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/clare-nowland-dies-officer-charged">The mother-of-eight passed away</a> in Cooma Hospital on May 24, one week after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/furious-response-to-95-yr-old-woman-tasered-by-police">she was tasered by a police officer</a> at her Yallambee Lodge aged care facility. Nowland had reportedly been approaching law enforcement with her walking frame and a steak knife when she was tasered, before she fell backwards and fractured her skull. </p> <p dir="ltr">In the wake of the incident, Police Commissioner Karen Webb reportedly approved a 71-word press release - one that made no mention of the knife, the taser, or even Nowland’s movements. </p> <p dir="ltr">“A critical incident investigation has been launched after an elderly woman sustained injuries during an interaction with police at an aged care facility in the state’s south today,” it read. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The 95-year-old woman was taken to Cooma District Hospital, where her condition is being monitored. A critical incident team will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. That investigation will be subject to independent review.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No further details are available at this time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">However, ‘new’ documents - obtained by the Australian Associated Press under Freedom of Information laws - have revealed that there was another draft, 100 words longer than the released statement, that mentions those key aspects of the case. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the<em> Sydney Morning Herald</em> - who obtained the internal emails regarding the statement - that draft had been sent to NSW Police Executive Director of Public Affairs Elizabeth Deegan for review, but had been cut by more than half mere hours later, leading the <em>SMH</em> to run with the headline "<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/top-nsw-cops-covered-up-tasering-of-clare-nowland-20230621-p5di67.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top NSW cops covered up Tasering of Clare Nowland</a>".</p> <p dir="ltr">The original 171-word document made mention of the reports that a Yallambee Lodge resident had a knife, and noted that two officers had arrived to find a woman “still armed … in a small room”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Police and paramedics attempted to speak to the woman; however, all instructions were ignored,” it continued. “When she stood up and moved towards officers, a taser was deployed by a constable.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It explained that the woman had received treatment from paramedics at the scene, leaving room for information on her condition. It even mentioned that the officer who had deployed the taser was under review.</p> <p dir="ltr">Commissioner Webb defended the decision to edit their original draft while speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, denying that the police force had hidden anything when she told him that “early in the investigation it was necessary for us to make sure that the family were aware of what the circumstances were.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Mrs Nowland has a large family and we didn’t want that family to hear on the radio on TV what had happened to their mum, and so we had to be a bit sensitive to that, and when we were able to talk about it we did.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that it was “a very sensitive matter”, and that it was an “unusual” circumstance with everyone seeking answers, but that “it’s appropriate we think about and respect that family, and certainly they deserve that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was important that the family were informed of the situation in a factual manner before we went public on it - I think that’s very necessary and I’m sure that family appreciates that now.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 9News / Nine</em></p>

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"Wonderful celebration of her life": Clare Nowland's fond farewell

<p dir="ltr">Great-grandmother and beloved community member Clare Nowland will be farewelled in a “grand celebration” focusing on her extraordinary life, and not her tragic <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/clare-nowland-dies-officer-charged" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> after being tasered by police.</p> <p dir="ltr">Parish priest of St Patrick’s Catholic Church and a very close friend of Nowland, Father Croker, has told <em>The Daily Telegraph</em> that her funeral service will be held on June 13 from 11 am.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It will be a very big funeral, no doubt … and that’s the family’s request that it’s a wonderful celebration of her life,” he revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nowland had lived a full life with 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, who will be among the hundreds of mourners expected at the funeral service which will be held at St Patrick’s Church.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Throughout her long life her faith was always so important to her … and of course, her large family,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">He added that the great-grandmother had a passion for helping others, especially the other residents at their local nursing home.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was a very smart lady, always helping people … she would go each week, when her health was better, and feed the residents at a local nursing home.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Nowland had suffered serious head injuries after being tasered by police at a Cooma Nursing home on May 17. She passed away peacefully a week later surrounded by her family.</p> <p dir="ltr">Senior Constable Kristian White was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/new-details-emerge-on-clare-nowland-s-tasering" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended</a> and charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.</p> <p dir="ltr">He is due to face Cooma Local Court on July 5.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook/ 9News / Nine</em></p>

Caring

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New details emerge on Clare Nowland's tasering

<p>New details have emerged following the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/clare-nowland-dies-officer-charged" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> of great-grandmother Clare Nowland who passed away after being tasered by police.</p> <p>It has been revealed an officer allegedly asked Nowland to “stop” several times during negotiations with her to drop a steak knife before saying “bugger it” as he deployed his taser.</p> <p>Not long before Nowland died, surrounded by her family, police charged Senior Constable Kristian White with three offences including recklessly causing previous bodily harm.</p> <p>Police have alleged Nowland, who used a walking frame, was holding a steak knife when the officer said “stop” several times, and “drop it”.</p> <p>The 95-year-old, who suffers from dementia, then raised the knife to chest height in the direction of his colleague. The senior constable asked her to stop before allegedly saying “bugger it” as he deployed the taser.</p> <p>White is currently suspended with pay and has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.</p> <p>"He is very distressed. He's concerned for not only his own welfare but the welfare of all people involved in this matter," White's lawyer Warwick Anderson said.</p> <p>"He was at home in bed shortly before he got called out to attend a nursing home and I don't think that there's any dispute that on his way to this job in his wildest dreams it would unfold in the way it may have.”</p> <p>His client will be defending the charges.</p> <p>"At this stage I'd anticipate he would enter a plea of not guilty - all of these matters will be reviewed when a brief of evidence is received," Anderson said.</p> <p>While the charges could advance to manslaughter, investigators must wait until the results of an autopsy as they need to prove the tasering was a direct cause of the injuries sustained that led to her death.</p> <p>Friends have remembered the 95-year-old as a much-loved member of her community who adored her family.</p> <p>"I've just noticed up at St Patrick's Church the flag is at half mast which really says to all of us, even if you didn't know her, she was really important to this community," Cooma local Mike Evans said.</p> <p>Nowland was a mother to eight, a grandmother to 24 and a great-grandmother to 31.</p> <p>A friend of hers, Kevin Dunne, often visited Nowland at her nursing home and admired her faith in God and her commitment to being a volunteer.</p> <p>"With Clare the thing that struck me the most was her love of her family," he said.</p> <p>"She's left a wonderful legacy, I think they'll all be inspired by the example of her life."</p> <p><em>Image credit: 9News / Nine</em></p>

Caring

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Clare Nowland dies, officer charged

<p dir="ltr">Clare Nowland, the great-grandmother who was tasered by police at her Cooma aged care home, has passed away in hospital. </p> <p dir="ltr">The news was confirmed by NSW Police, who said the 95 year old had died “peacefully” with her family surrounding her. Clare was the devoted mother of eight children, grandmother to 24 grandchildren, and great-grandmother to 31, with four more due in 2023. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Our thoughts and condolences remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hallmarked by family, kindness and community," they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley offered condolences to Clare’s loved ones - and community - on behalf of the government. </p> <p dir="ltr">Clare had been in hospital for a week, receiving treatment and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/sad-update-on-95-year-old-tasered-in-aged-care-home">end of life care</a> following the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/furious-response-to-95-yr-old-woman-tasered-by-police">May 17 incident at Yallambee Lodge</a>, where police had been called out when Clare - who had dementia - had been holding a steak knife. </p> <p dir="ltr">She had been using a walking frame at the time, and “moving at a slow pace” according to police, when Senior Constable Kristian White tasered her. Clare then fell, hitting her head, and fracturing her skull. </p> <p dir="ltr">33-year-old White was charged only hours before Clare’s passing, with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault. He was suspended from duty - controversially, on full pay - and is expected to face court on July 5.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Webb previously noted that there was a chance the charges could be upgraded in the event that circumstances surrounding the incident changed. </p> <p dir="ltr">“In NSW, you’re innocent until proven guilty,” she added. “He is afforded the same as any other resident.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It is possible [the charges could be upgraded], it depends on what happens."</p> <p dir="ltr">Webb had also explained that she had not yet viewed the police body-cam footage from the day, but that she wanted to review it with a better idea of what had actually transpired. Pressure for Catley to watch it had been mounting as well, in time with growing concerns over public confidence in law enforcement.</p> <p dir="ltr">The police force drew criticism from all over for their response - with Webb defending officers in the wake of the story breaking nationally, and globally - though a critical incident investigation squad was set into motion by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, with NSW Police assuring that “investigations into the critical incident will continue.” </p> <p dir="ltr">However, as Webb said, “this is one incident out of many many calls for service, over two million calls for service every year that we respond to for all sorts of things. </p> <p dir="ltr">"So I'm sure that the community can be reassured that New South Wales Police will carry on with the job that we always do."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 9News / Nine</em></p>

News

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Sad update on 95-year-old tasered in aged care home

<p dir="ltr">Clare Nowland, the 95-year-old woman tasered by police in her Cooma aged care home, is receiving end of life care in the wake of the horrific ordeal. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her family - while demanding answers from police officials - have kept vigil at Clare’s bedside, according to her priest, Father Mark Croker. </p> <p dir="ltr">Father Croker had visited Clare in hospital, and said mass, five days after she was tasered. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She looks peaceful,” he told <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>, “she’s not conscious but she certainly looks comfortable.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He reported that Clare’s family - her eight children and their relations - had been taking it in turns to speak to her, noting that “they say the last of your senses to go is your hearing, so we know she can hear us.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The thing with Clare is the dementia hadn’t completely taken hold, you could still have a conversation with her … she might get a bit confused, but that’s an age thing”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to share that he had been with Clare in that same hospital just a week before, when she had been there over a minor illness. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We had a good conversation,” he revealed. “Her daughter was there too … she had her knitting with her, which was her thing in later life, she was in very good form.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Things had taken a sharp turn for the 95 year old, however, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/furious-response-to-95-yr-old-woman-tasered-by-police">when police and paramedics were called to her Yallambee Lodge aged care facility</a> over reports that Clare was holding a steak knife, and staff were requesting assistance. </p> <p dir="ltr">When officers failed to disarm her, a senior constable with 12 years of experience used his taser on her. Clare consequently fell backwards, and received critical head injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr">As family friend and community advocate Andrew Thaler has reported, Clare’s family are “distraught” over the force used against her, and want an explanation. </p> <p dir="ltr">“They want answers,” he said, “as does the community … but they are scared because they’ve been told not to talk publicly. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This is possibly the oldest person on the planet to be tasered, there really are no words for this.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Those answers may come from the ongoing investigation into the incident, with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb revealing that she had gone to speak with Clare’s family about “the investigation and the process.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And more importantly, listening to them. We talked about their mother and the very rich, full life that she’s had.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The events of the tragic day were also captured on body cameras, and while police officials have no intentions of releasing the footage due to its “confronting” nature, according to Webb “the best detectives in New South Wales are on this case.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They’ve come from Homicide Squad … So I have every confidence that is being handled in a different way now.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Webb added that she thought it was “quite rare” for law enforcement to be called to a nursing home, “and if in the fullness of this investigation we come to learn that we need to better equip our officers to deal with dementia patients then we will do so.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: ABC</em></p>

Caring

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Does Australia need new laws to combat right-wing extremism?

<p>At the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH2IUKaWXKw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Press Club</a>, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil flagged that Labor would propose <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/08/clare-oneill-warns-counter-terror-laws-may-need-to-change-to-better-handle-rightwing-extremism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">changes to Australia’s counter-terrorism laws</a>. She cited an increase in diverse threats beyond religious fundamentalism, a trend towards lone-actor, low-sophistication attacks, and more <a href="https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/asio-chief-flags-alarming-increase-in-children-lured-to-extremism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">younger people being radicalised</a>.</p> <p>Specifically, she referred to the threat of right-wing extremism, which in 2021 was <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7269257/ideologically-motivated-terror-now-taking-up-half-of-asio-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approaching 50% of ASIO’s caseload</a>. She did not suggest the laws will be “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/08/clare-oneill-warns-counter-terror-laws-may-need-to-change-to-better-handle-rightwing-extremism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overhauled</a>”.</p> <p>However, O'Neil hinted that changes to criminal law could target specific ways that extreme right-wing groups organise themselves compared to groups such as al-Qaeda or Islamic State.</p> <p>Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, Australia has enacted at least 96 counter-terrorism laws, amounting to <a href="https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/4287735/02-Hardy-and-Williams-34.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 5,500 pages of legislation</a>. So do we need any more laws, or changes to existing laws, to combat right-wing terrorism?</p> <h2>Australia’s counter-terrorism laws</h2> <p>Australia has the <a href="https://theconversation.com/before-9-11-australia-had-no-counter-terrorism-laws-now-we-have-92-but-are-we-safer-166273" target="_blank" rel="noopener">largest collection of counter-terrorism laws</a> in the world. This reflects a strong belief in legality: that powers and offences should be written into the statute books and not be left to arbitrary executive power. But it also shows how readily Australian governments have responded to evolving threats with ever-increasing powers.</p> <p>Our counter-terrorism laws contain countless criminal offences and powers of surveillance, interrogation and detention. As an example, a <a href="https://theconversation.com/control-orders-for-kids-wont-make-us-any-safer-49074" target="_blank" rel="noopener">control order</a> can require a child as young as 14 to obey a curfew and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet to protect the public from a terrorist act or prevent support for terrorism.</p> <p>Most of the offences and powers rely on a broad statutory definition of terrorism. A “terrorist act” means harmful conduct or a threat that aims to: (1) advance a political, religious or ideological cause; and (2) intimidate a government or section of the public.</p> <p>Importantly, this definition is ideologically neutral – as are all the laws. They do not mention Islamist or right-wing terrorism.</p> <p>The laws apply equally to these and other terror threats, no matter the ideology. A white supremacist who prepares or commits a terrorist act faces life imprisonment in the same way as a religious fundamentalist.</p> <h2>What changes might be made?</h2> <p>We won’t know the details of Labor’s proposed changes until next year.</p> <p>The government might ask parliament to tweak the definition of a “terrorist organisation” in Division 102 of the federal <a href="http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/cca1995115/sch1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Criminal Code</a>. A terrorist organisation is one that is directly or indirectly preparing a terrorist act (or that advocates a terrorist act).</p> <p>Various offences stem from this definition. It is a crime, for example, to recruit for a terrorist organisation or be a member of one.</p> <p>The Australian government maintains a <a href="https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/what-australia-is-doing/terrorist-organisations/listed-terrorist-organisations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">list of proscribed (banned) terrorist organisations</a>. Of the 29 currently listed, only three adhere to far-right ideology.</p> <p>This reflects a longer history of Islamist terrorism, though Australia has also <a href="https://www.themandarin.com.au/176216-australia-catching-up-with-proscription-of-far-right-groups/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lagged our closest allies</a> in banning right-wing extremist groups.</p> <p>Some features of these groups can make banning them difficult. Their membership structures, ideological demands and support for violence can be less clear compared to groups like al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which have committed and encouraged terrorist acts all around the world.</p> <p>Right-wing extremist groups <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/05/far-right-and-anti-racism-groups-face-off-in-melbourne-flashpoint" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hold divisive rallies</a>, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-far-right-are-capable-recruiters-and-have-found-fertile-ground-thanks-to-covid-20210921-p58tn7.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exploit protests</a>, spread racist sentiment and encourage hatred against minorities – but most of these acts do not constitute terrorism.</p> <p>Expanding the definition of a terrorist organisation could capture right-wing extremist groups that are dangerous to society but do not obviously engage in or support terrorist acts.</p> <p>Another possibility is that Labor could seek to ban Nazi and other hate symbols that such groups commonly use. New legislation in Victoria, which comes into force at the end of this month, makes it an <a href="https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/591323bs1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offence</a> punishable by 12 months’ imprisonment to publicly display the Nazi swastika (Hakenkreuz).</p> <p>The state offence will not apply to the <a href="https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbols/search" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hundreds of hate symbols used by right-wing extremists</a>, but it sends an important message that neo-Nazi ideology holds no place in Australian society. It provides a legal mechanism to counter threats of right-wing extremism in a way that the federal counter-terrorism laws currently do not.</p> <h2>Are changes needed?</h2> <p>Australia’s counter-terrorism laws are already extensive and apply to all types of terrorism, so no obvious strategic gaps need to be filled. If a criminal offence or power is needed to combat terrorism, Australia already has it and more.</p> <p>Minor changes to Division 102 could target specific features of right-wing extremism compared to Islamist terrorism. Federal laws could supplement emerging state laws by outlawing hateful symbols used by right-wing extremists and other terrorist groups.</p> <p>However, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/banned-neo-nazi-groups-set-sights-on-australia/100030072" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more right-wing groups</a> could be proscribed under the laws as they currently stand. Decisive action to ban internationally recognised right-wing extremist groups, combined with a national inquiry into hate crime law and its <a href="https://tacklinghate.org/blogs/new-research-defining-and-identifying-hate-motives-bias-indicators-for-the-australian-context/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reporting</a>, would send a strong message. Australia’s extensive counter-terrorism laws need not be further expanded.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-australia-need-new-laws-to-combat-right-wing-extremism-196219" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Legal

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“Several of these floods happened on your watch”: Nat Barr slams Liberal Party deputy leader

<p dir="ltr"><em>Sunrise</em> host Natalie Barr has called out Liberal MP Sussan Ley for claiming the Labor government was too slow in their handling of the NSW floods. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Liberal Party deputy leader appeared alongside Labor's Minister for Education Jason Clare on <em>Sunrise</em> on Friday July 8 who were discussing raising the walls of Warragamba Dam to stop future flooding. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Barr got the ball rolling, asking Ms Ley why nothing was done when her government was in power. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Sussan what do you think? Because several of these floods happened on your watch and nothing seemed to go ahead did it?” she asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s heartbreaking to hear from those people who are so affected when they feel yet another flood event,” Ms Ley began before she was cut off by Ms Barr.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hang on Sussan, the first flood, the big one, was in March last year, then we had March this year, April this year, with all due respect, what did your government do?” Ms Barr questioned.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We worked closely and started a planning process at federal environment level that I was actually involved with. At the moment, the issue is with the NSW Government but a lot of work has been done by the Commonwealth,” Ms Ley said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now, this incoming government seems to not know how to pick up that work and continue with it. And that’s my point, at least start with the right minister. It’s waiting there and it needs [NSW]..., but at least start in the right area of the government to get this ball running.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nat, I think Sussan’s got a short memory here. Go back to the start of the year, we had a tinny army that rescued people,” Mr Clare said of Morrison’s Government response to the March floods. </p> <p dir="ltr">“People had to hire their own helicopters because rescue services weren't on the way.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We were proactive. We got helicopters ready and soldiers ready before we were even asked.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Ley however then questioned why the government took too long to announce relief payments for the affected areas. </p> <p dir="ltr">“On Monday I raised the issue that payments that could have been made in hours were taking days,” she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The floods were on the weekend. It wasn't until Thursday that a signature on a paper was made, coincidentally when the Prime Minister came back from overseas.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Barr snapped at Ms Ley saying: “Well, it may have been a couple of days but it's burnt into our memory that people had to go rescue themselves and their communities.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The residents in the 23 LGAs affected by the severe storms and flooding since June 27, are eligible for disaster relief payments funded by the NSW government and the Commonwealth.</p> <p dir="ltr">The LGAs include Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Canterbury Bankstown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Lithgow, Liverpool, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Sunrise</em></p>

TV

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Rare chance to buy ritzy house with murderous past

<p><span>A ritzy home on the water of one of Brisbane’s most fabulous suburbs has hit the market, but it’s dark, murderous past has continued to haunt its walls.</span><br /><br /><span>What was once a party house filled with socialites on the banks of the Brisbane River, turned into a murder scene in the 1950s when Hamilton resident Sylvia Joyce Clare Ferguson was convicted of the murder of her rich husband Roy Ferguson.</span><br /><br /><span>The idyllic four bedroom Spanish-style home sits at 2 Grays Road, Hamilton, was a sight then and even now it continues to hold against the multimillion-dollar estates that surround it in the blue-chip suburb.</span><br /><br /><span>With views of the river, city and Story Bridge – it’s not wonder why this listing is believed to go as quick as it possibly can.</span><br /><br /><span>A True Crime episode by The Courier-Mail’s Kate Kyriacou explored the deep mystery of the little blue house, saying that Roy and his brother Jack owned pubs near Newcastle and Forbes, a poultry farm in Charleston, New South Wales and other properties, as well as directorships in various companies including breweries.</span><br /><br /><span>Mrs Ferguson was a simple barmaid in Newcastle when she met Roy.</span><br /><br /><span>They eventually settled down with each other and moved into the waterfront home in Hamilton, Brisbane.</span><br /><br /><span>The scandal began when she was jailed along with her lover and a friend over Mr Ferguson’s murder.</span><br /><br /><span>She protested her innocence from prison years later.</span><br /><br /><span>The home retains so much charm with a library and multipurpose room, indoor living and entertaining space as well as a living room with a fireplace.</span><br /><br /><span>The master suite has its very own floor with ensuite, a separate powder room, walk in robe, a living area and a balcony looking out over some of the best river views in Brisbane.</span><br /><br /><span>The home last sold over 15 years ago and was described as being “like nothing else you will find on the market”, <em>realestate.com.au</em> wrote in the listing.</span><br /><br /><span>“Boasting a character facade and traditional interior with decorative ceilings, beautiful timber floors, stained glass and classic chandeliers throughout, this is an exclusive offering with endless opportunities to make this home your own.”</span><br /><br /><span>The property is set to go to auction on Saturday March 20 at 10am.</span></p>

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