An Australian police officer who shocked a 95-year-old nursing home resident with a Taser was found guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday.

Clare Nowland, a great grandmother who suffered from dementia and used a walker, was refusing to put down the steak knife she was holding when Kristian James Samuel White discharged his Taser on her in May 2023.

Ms Nowland fell backwards after White shocked her and died a week later in hospital.

Police said at the time that Ms Nowland suffered her fatal injuries from hitting her head on the floor, rather than directly from the device’s debilitating electric shock.

But after an eight-day trial, the jury rejected arguments by White’s lawyers that the use of the Taser was a proportionate response to the threat posed by Ms Nowland.

The prosecutor argued that White’s use of the Taser was “completely unnecessary and clearly excessive,” local news outlets said.

White, who is out on bail, was found guilty of manslaughter and could face up to 25 years in prison when he is next sentenced.

His employment is under review and the subject of legal proceedings, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters after the verdict.

“The court found that Claire Nowland died as a result of the actions of a police officer. This should never have happened,” Ms Webb said, as she offered her “deepest condolences” to Ms Nowland’s family.

State police reviewed their Taser policy and training in January and no changes have been made, she added.

Ms Nowland is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

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