On Friday, Justice Ian Harrison said in the NSW Supreme Court that White had made a “terrible mistake” and an error of judgement, but that his crime fell on the lower end of objective seriousness.

Clare Nowland died after being Tasered in her aged care home by police officer Kristian White. Source: AAP / Supplied

The firing of the stun gun after only a few minutes of trying to disarm Nowland was unlawful, dangerous and resulted from White misreading or misunderstanding the situation, the judge said.

There were tears by members of Nowland’s family, while the former officer stood expressionless as his sentence was handed down.

The former officer has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic-stress disorder after the incident and will have to move from the small town of Cooma because of the anger against him there.

‘Slap on the wrist’

White was removed from the police force in December after the guilty verdict, but he has launched legal action for a review of that decision.