Tom Starky to face District Court trial over home invasion allegations

A young man charged over an alleged stabbing during a home invasion, stemming from a drug dispute, has found out what is next for him in court, with more charges dependent on the outcome of a trial.

Tom Starky has been charged over an alleged home invasion.

A young man accused of stabbing another person in the Sunshine Coast over an alleged drug dispute will defend himself in a higher court.

Tom Starky has been charged with several offences including grievous bodily harm and entering a dwelling at night while armed over the incident in Pomona in 2023.

Defence lawyer Ben Rynderman and law clerk Michael Phillips appeared on Mr Starky’s behalf as his matter was mentioned in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on February 17.

Mr Phillips asked for Mr Starky’s drug-related charges to be adjourned to a later date.

Mr Rynderman elaborated his client will face trial in District Court over his charges of grievous bodily harm, entering a dwelling at night while armed, in company, and damaging the property and wilful damage.

The outcome of his drug charges rely on the trial verdict due to an alleged buyer-seller relationship, the court was told.

Mr Rynderman said the drugs were connected to the alleged “home invasion”.

If Mr Starky was found guilty in the trial, all of his charges, including drug-related offences, will be put together for sentencing, Mr Rynderman said.

The charges were adjourned to August 13.

Police previously alleged Mr Starky and a co-accused broke into the Pomona house of a 23-year-old on September 19, 2023.

Court documents previously viewed by this publication revealed witnesses allegedly reported hearing a male and female yell out “he owes me money for drugs”, before they were allegedly seen smashing the windows of the Pomona home.

Mr Starky is facing a charge of grievous bodily harm, four charges of possessing drugs, one of possessing a knife, one of entering a dwelling at night while armed, in company, and damaging the property, one of possessing S4 or S8 poisons or medicine, one of wilful damage and one of possessing property used in a drug offence.

No pleas have been formally entered.

Originally published as Tom Starky to face District Court trial over home invasion allegations