Avoca: Shady Palms security guard Khan Morris pleads not guilty to alleged Starling assault

The security guard at the centre of a wild brawl involving Canberra Raider’s star Tom Starling and his brothers has faced court over his alleged role in the fracas.

Screen grab of CCTV from the incident at Shady Palms in December 2020.

The security guard at Shady Palms on the night NRL hooker Tom Starling and his brothers Josh and Jackson allegedly clashed with police has pleaded not guilty to assaulting their father.

Khan Morris was working at the Avoca Beach restaurant bar on December 5, 2020, when police allege he told the Starling boys’ mother to sit down because of Covid regulations.

The Starling family were at the venue with friends to celebrate a 21st birthday party.

The now 33-year-old security guard’s interaction with the Starlings allegedly took a turn for the worst.

Police arrived and the incident descended into a melee which left Tom Starling, 24, with a bloody nose.

Exterior photos of Shady Palms at Avoca on the Central Coast.

Tom, Jackson, 26, and Josh, 21 — along with a fourth man — have each pleaded not guilty to resisting or hindering a police officer, while Josh also pleaded not guilty to common assault and assaulting a police officer.

They faced a lengthy hearing in the Downing Centre Local Court last year where Magistrate Daniel Covington has retired to consider the evidence.

NRL player for the Canberra Raiders Tom Starling (wearing the blue suit and silver tie) is seen leaving the Downing Centre Court in Sydney with his family during his hearing. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Magistrate Covington is due to give his judgment on February 10.

Mr Morris was later charged with allegedly assaulting the Starling brothers’ father David Starling and causing him actual bodily harm.

The charge came about after the officer who took command of the matter in May last year reviewed the CCTV footage.

Mr Morris was not required to appear at Gosford Local Court on Tuesday where his solicitor Marc Riviere entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf.

Police will allege in court Mr Morris called the Starlings’ mother “a f..king slut”, which led to him being yelled at by Josh before the situation escalated quickly and Mr Morris allegedly hit David Starling.

The matter was adjourned to March 2 to set a date for a hearing.

Mr Morris, of East Gosford, will be excused from attending on that date if he is legally represented.