Police Officer Charged After Tasering 95-Year-Old Woman – A police officer has been charged after allegedly tasering a 95-year-old woman twice, resulting in a fractured skull. The incident took place at Yallambee Lodge in New South Wales, Australia, where the elderly woman, Clare Nowland, was found holding a knife. Police were called to the care home to disarm the dementia patient, but the situation escalated, leading to the use of a taser.
Currently, Clare Nowland is receiving end-of-life care at Cooma District Hospital, surrounded by her family. The New South Wales Police Commissioner, Karen Webb, has announced that one of the officers involved in the incident has been charged with grievous bodily harm. The 33-year-old senior constable from Monaro Police District will appear at the Cooma local court on Wednesday, July 5, to face charges of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assault.
Key Details:
- Incident: Police officer charged after tasering 95-year-old woman twice
- Location: Yallambee Lodge in New South Wales, Australia
- Victim: Clare Nowland, a dementia patient
- Charge: Grievous bodily harm
- Date of Court Appearance: Wednesday, July 5
The entire incident was captured on the bodycam footage of the police officers involved, which has been used as evidence during the investigation. Commissioner Webb emphasized that she will refrain from watching the footage until all statements and other evidence have been thoroughly reviewed. The family of Mrs. Nowland maintains that she may have been holding a knife while buttering toast, but the police officers claimed to have felt threatened by the encounter.
Andrew Thaler, who is acquainted with the family, expressed their distress over the incident. He stated, “The police tasered this woman twice, once in front of her chest, and once in the back, then she’s fallen and struck her head. The family are grieving because they don’t expect their nan to make it through the day, or tomorrow at the latest.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
- 1. What charges has the police officer been faced with?
- The police officer has been charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assault.
- 2. When will the officer appear in court?
- The officer will appear at the Cooma local court on Wednesday, July 5.
- 3. Why did the police officers use a taser on Clare Nowland?
- The police officers claimed they felt threatened by the encounter with Clare Nowland, who was found holding a knife.
- 4. What is the current condition of Clare Nowland?
- Clare Nowland is receiving end-of-life care at Cooma District Hospital.
- 5. Will the bodycam footage be used as evidence?
- Yes, the bodycam footage of the incident has been used as evidence in the investigation.
