Clint Starkey death: Alleged driver pleads not guilty to murder and accessory charges

Clint Starkey was fatally bashed in Peats Ridge in April 2017, dying one month later from severe head injuries. The man who allegedly drove him to the site where he was attacked has entered a plea in court.

Clint Starkey, 42, of Mangrove Mountain, was allegedly bashed to death by four Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang members outside a service station. Supplied

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The man who allegedly drove Clint Starkey to a service station in Peats Ridge the night he was fatally bashed and then later drove him to hospital has pleaded not guilty.

The man, known as SR due to a suppression order on his full name, entered the pleas at Gosford Local Court on Friday before Magistrate Peter Barnett.

The 43-year-old from Scone appeared in person and pleaded not guilty to two charges including the murder of Clint Starkey and being an accessory before the fact.

The service station at Peats Ridge where Clint Starkey was viciously bashed. Picture: Google street view

Police allege Mr Starkey, 42, was driven to the Caltex Service Station in Peats Ridge shortly after midnight on Thursday, April 6 2017, where he was met by the four men who allegedly punched, kicked and stomped on him.

The 42-year-old was then driven to Gosford Hospital before being flown to Royal North Shore Hospital where he remained with critical head injuries until his death on June 12.

When Magistrate Barnett read the charges to SR, with the accessory charge indicating he encouraged four other men to murder Mr Starkey, he gave a clear and calm “not guilty”.

James Crane, of Terrigal, and his brother Colin have been charged in relation to the murder. Picture: Facebook

It comes after the four bikies charged with the bashing murder of Mr Starkey pleaded not guilty on June 23 and will face trial in the Sydney Supreme Court.

Former Rebels president and life member Colin Steven Crane and his brother James Peter Crane, who have been charged with orchestrating the bashing, also had their cases mentioned in court on Friday.

The brothers did not appear in person or enter pleas with Magistrate Barnett adjourning their matters, indicating they will be required to enter a plea on July 31.

SR’s bail was continued and his case was adjourned for committal to stand trial in the Sydney Supreme Court on August 7 2020.