Elderly Euphoria Interrupted! π΅β‘: 95-Year-Old Super Granny Shocks Down Under After Tragic Taser Tumble
TL;DR; Great granny Clare Nowland, 95, said sayonara after allegedly getting zapped by a Taser in an Aussie retirement villa. The cop behind the trigger, Kristian White, 33, faces a potential 10-year prison sentence for three charges. Nowland, who was reportedly wielding a steak knife, suffered a fractured skull and other injuries. Cue major controversy and some serious questions. π²ππ₯
Picture this: You’re chilling in the comfort of your own home, armed with nothing but a steak knife (for that juicy, medium-rare, you-know-what-I’m-talking-about) and suddenly, out of nowhere, you’re having a shocking encounter with the police. And no, we’re not talking about a surprise birthday party here.
That’s the reality that our Aussie great-grandmother, Clare Nowland, unfortunately found herself in. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this incredibly tough time, of course. But seriously, folks – a Taser? Against a nonagenarian in an aged care home? π±
Senior constable Kristian White, age 33, is now due to appear in the Cooma local court on 5 July for a trio of offences – assault causing actual bodily harm, common assault, and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. And did we mention the potential decade-long stint in the slammer if he’s found guilty? Yikes. π°
Nowland was found in her home at Yallambee Lodge armed with a steak knife. So was this just a classic case of steak-dinner-gone-wrong or was something more sinister afoot? π€
Police Commissioner Karen Webb called the incident a “nasty situation” and defended the decision to suspend White without pay, noting, however, that “people are innocent until proven guilty”. Yes, that’s correct, folks β even if you’re charged with Tasing an elderly dementia patient, you too can enjoy the perks of innocent until proven guilty.π
But let’s backtrack for a moment. This incident left Clare with a fractured skull. You heard us right – a fractured skull.π
So, we’ve got to ask, where do we draw the line between serving and protecting and, well, not doing either of those things? π€·ββοΈ
NSW police minister Yasmin Catley expressed her condolences to the Nowland family on Wednesday evening, as well as extending sympathies to the wider community of Cooma and the residents and carers at Cooma Yallambee Lodge.
Let’s be clear here. This isn’t about demonising all police, not at all. In fact, Commissioner Webb pointed out that this incident is “one out of over 2 million calls for assistance we get every year”.
But when an incident is as tragic and shocking as this, it’s no surprise it garners attention. And it should, right? Because it leaves us with questions, so many questions. π§
Just a heads up, this article is not providing advice on how to handle steak knives or interactions with the police, especially in Australia. It’s just shedding light on the unusual, alarming, and heart-wrenching incident that took place.
As we digest this, let’s keep our thoughts with Clare’s family and the wider community dealing with this shock. But as we do, let’s also ask ourselves – when it comes to policing, what level of force is too much? And how do we navigate the delicate