Cheers to mum: Clare Nowland’s daughters celebrate cop’s guilty verdict

A glass of champagne in one hand - their mother’s favourite drink- and tissues in the other to dab the tears, Clare Nowland’s daughters toasted a “bittersweet” victory after a senior police officer was found guilty of her manslaughter.

A glass of champagne in one hand — their mother’s favourite drink — and tissues in the other to dab the tears, Clare Nowland’s daughters toasted a “bittersweet” victory yesterday.

The three women, who gasped then cried in relief as a NSW Supreme Court jury found Senior Constable Kristian White guilty of the manslaughter of their 95-year-old mum, gathered at a nearby bar to celebrate the end of a horror 18-months.

For eight days, the extended Nowland family sat through shocking evidence about the great-grandmother’s final moments inside Yallambee Lodge at Cooma, on May 17 last year, before an impatient Constable White said “bugger it” and discharged his taser at her chest.

Mrs Nowland died in hospital a week later from catastrophic head injuries suffered when she fell backwards.

“We are so, so happy,” daughter Lesley Lloyd said as she clenched her fist and punched the air.

The family of Clare Nowland celebrate a ‘bittersweet’ victory at a pub on Elizabeh Street. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Eldest daughter Kerry Paske said it was a bittersweet day for the family, but with the result they had hoped for, it was time to celebrate like their mum would want.

“Mum loved a champagne, so that’s what we are having...it’s a great result, really great,” Mrs Paske said.

Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC successfully convinced the jury that Constable White, 34, breached the duty of care he owed to the elderly woman because his actions “involved such a high risk that really serious bodily harm would occur to her”.

Police were called to the nursing home about 5am to a “very aggressive resident” who was holding two knives.

Defence barrister Troy Edwards SC argued that Constable White’s response was commensurate with the threat posed by Mrs Nowland carrying a knife. But after four days of deliberation, the jury found Constable White, a father of one, guilty of unlawfully killing Mrs Nowland either by way of criminal negligence or a dangerous or criminal act.

Constable White closed his eyes and threw his head back as the Crown asked that he be taken into custody following the guilty verdict.

Police officer Kristian White leaves the Supreme Court on Wednesday after being found guilty of manslaughter. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

White was found to have breached the duty of care he owed to elderly Clare Nowland. Picture: Facebook

But Justice Ian Harrison said he needed to know more about the arrangements to remand him in prison before he could make that decision.

“I will not commit a policeman to custody until I understand the conditions under which he will be held, if he is to be held,” Justice Harrison said.

Constable White, who said nothing as he left the King St complex hand-in-hand with his partner, is expected to have his bail revoked when he returns to court today.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Mrs Nowland’s death at the hands of an officer “should never have happened”. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Just hours after the verdict, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Mrs Nowland’s death at the hands of an officer “should never have happened”.

“The death of Clare Nowland is a terrible tragedy and my deepest condolences go to the Nowland family,” Ms Webb said.

She said Constable White’s employment was under review, and an outcome was likely by next week. The officer was suspended without pay when he was charged.

Ms Webb said she had not spoken to the officer and considered it inappropriate to do so while she is reviewing his employment but she will now reach out the Nowland family.