Tom Starling: Canberra Raiders, NRL star’s brother feared for sibling’s life during massive brawl

The brother of a Canberra Raiders star recounted how he thought his elder sibling would die after repeated punches to the face by police during a massive bar brawl in the Central Coast.

The brother of an NRL star has recounted how he feared his elder sibling would die after being repeatedly punched in the face by police during a bar brawl in the Central Coast, allegedly instigated by a security guard calling the star’s mother a “f--king slut”.

Downing Centre Local Court heard on Wednesday how Josh Starling, 21, feared for the life of his brother and Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling, 24, when a birthday party at the Shady Palms bar and hotel turned violent in December 2020 at Avoca Beach on the state’s Central Coast.

Footage of the incident showed the wild scuffle and Tom being restrained and punched in the face by police officers. Tom suffered a bloody nose from the incident.

“I was scared for mine and Tom’s life,” Josh Starling told the court. “I thought they were going to kill my brother.”

Tom Starling posted this image to social media after the alleged brawl outside the Shady Palms.

Tom Starling with a supporter entering Downing Local Court on December 7. Picture: Damian Shaw

The two brothers appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday – alongside brother Jackson Starling and co-accused Jesse Byrne – for the 11th day of a hearing in relation to charges laid after the brawl at the Shady Palms.

Josh gave evidence about how he tried to move between Tom – who he described as “dazed” and “unconscious” – and senior constable Daniel Drew. Mr Drew – a different officer to who punched Tom in the face – had previously told court in May he struck the NRL hooker in the ribs.

The police prosecutor put to Josh his recollection of the night was made up from the CCTV footage shown in court, rather than his memory which the prosecutor alleged was clouded due to intoxication. The youngest Starling denied this was the case.

Eldest brother Jackson, 26, also gave evidence to the court and said he “really feared for Tom’s safety” during the flurry of punches.

“I was pretty worried for Tom,” he said, describing how he was then pushed to the ground and struck himself.

Police bodycam footage played in court captured a female friend of Josh’s state how security guard Khan Morris had allegedly called the Starlings’ mother a “f**king slut”.

“She got called a slut by security, her son reacted,” she told police, captured in the CCTV video. “It’s really not fair.”

Jackson Starling (left) and Josh Starling (right) pictured as they arrive at Downing Centre Court. Picture: Damian Shaw

The court also heard how Shady Palms head of security Khan Morris had recently been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm in relation to the incident after he allegedly attacked the Starlings’ father.

Tom and Jackson have each pleaded not guilty to the charge of resisting or hindering a police officer in the execution of duty, while Josh has pleaded not guilty to that same charge, but also to common assault and assaulting an officer in execution of duty. Byrne has also pleaded not guilty to resisting or hindering a police officer in the execution of duty.

In May, the police prosecutor alleged how the brawl began when security guard Morris told the Starling boys’ mother to sit down due to Covid regulations, which led to him being yelled at by Josh. The Starlings’ high-profile lawyer Samar Singh-Panwar alleged Morris called Starling’s mother “a f**king slut”, before the night took a turn for the worse.

The hearing continues.

New development in NRL star’s brawl case

11:30am

A new twist has emerged in the case of an NRL star who allegedly clashed with police officers in a 20-person brawl, with police charging the security guard who allegedly called his mum a ‘f--king slut’.

Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling, 24, alongside brothers Jackson, 26, and Josh, 21, returned to Downing Centre Local Court where they are fighting allegations which centre around a brawl with police at the Shady Palms bar in Avoca Beach in December 2020.

In a new development, the court heard on Wednesday how the bar’s head of security, Khan Morris, had recently been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm in relation to the incident, where he is alleged to have attacked the Starlings’ father.

The charge came about after the officer who took command of the matter in May reviewed the CCTV footage. The incident left Tom with a bloody nose after he was punched in the face by officers, CCTV footage played in court in May showed.

Tom and Jackson have each pleaded not guilty to the charge of resisting or hindering a police officer in the execution of duty, while Josh has pleaded not guilty to that same charge, but also to common assault and assaulting an officer in execution of duty.

Tom Starling and a supporter outside Downing Centre Local Court on December 7. Picture: Damien Shaw

A fourth person, the brothers’ mate, Jesse Byrne, has also pleaded not guilty to resisting or hindering a police officer in the execution of duty.

In May, the police prosecutor alleged how the brawl – which left Tom with a bloody nose – began when security guard Morris told the Starling boys’ mother to sit down due to Covid regulations, which led to him being yelled at by Josh.

NRL star Tom Starling pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Picture: Getty

The Starlings’ solicitor, high-profile lawyer Samar Singh-Panwar, alleged Morris called Starling’s mother “a f**king slut”, and CCTV footage played in court showed a number of police officers holding back Tom before repeatedly punching him in the face, forcing him to topple backwards, leaving him with a bloody nose.

Court heard on Wednesday how police intended to call on four witnesses – including two police officers, the DJ at the night of the incident and a member of staff – but one officer had left the force, one was on long-term sick leave, the DJ was subpoenaed but appeared “unwilling to co-operate”, and the fourth had returned to South Africa.

As such, it is expected Mr Singh-Panwar’s defence case will start on Wednesday, where the Terrigal-based lawyer told court he would call upon four witnesses across the next six days.