An Australian police officer will face charges for shocking a 95-year-old woman with a stun gun and leaving her with critical head injuries as she approached him using a walker and carrying a steak knife in a nursing home, officials said on Wednesday.
Clare Nowland, who has dementia, is receiving palliative care in a hospital in Cooma, New South Wales state.
She fractured her skull in a fall on Wednesday last week after Constable Kristian White shot her with a stun gun in her retirement home.
The violence against an elderly and incapacitated woman has sparked a national debate about the police use of stun guns in such circumstances and the competence of aged care staff.
Police are allowed to use stun guns when lives are in danger.
White was ordered on Wednesday to appear in court on July 5 on charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault, a police statement said.
The charges are likely to be upgraded when she is expected to die of her brain injuries.
White has been under police internal investigation since the incident and has been suspended from duty with pay since Tuesday.
Latest Stories
-
14 lucky customers win big in Petrosol’s Energising Dreams Promo first draw
1 min -
Husbands who marry these kind of wives are healthier with less memory issues, research reveals
2 mins -
George Afriyie responds to GFA charges, pleads not guilty.
2 mins -
Election 2024: Voter statistics dashboard
3 mins -
The law is clear on what it takes to declare a vacant seat – Cletus Avoka
16 mins -
NHIA assures free dialysis rollout on track with additional machines for treatment
45 mins -
Ayisi’s ‘Sober’: A deep dive into self-worth and staying grounded
1 hour -
Top 10 Miss Malaika finalists jostle for ‘Glow Up’ crown
1 hour -
Osofo Kojo Bentsir features Enam, Boggy Wenzday, Kojo Vypa on ‘Aware Pa’
1 hour -
Galamsey: 6 charged for attacking JoyNews crew, 5 others at large
1 hour -
Parliament must resolve issues without court injunctions – Kwadwo Mpiani
1 hour -
SAFA President Danny Jordaan arrested for alleged $71k fraud and embezzlement case
2 hours -
Bagbin risks 10-year jail if he defies Supreme Court – Justice Atuguba
2 hours -
The Exploratory partners HPW Ghana to expand practical STEM education in rural Ghana
2 hours -
Path to economic recovery challenging but overarching trend remains positive – GIPC
3 hours