ABC Sport

NSW police officers under investigation over arrest of Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling

ABC Sport logo ABC Sport 14.06.2023 10:24:00
Tom Starling suffered injuries to his face after an alleged altercation with police. (Supplied)

Police officers involved in a scuffle during an arrest in 2020 of Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling, are now under investigation.

Starling, who received facial injuries in the arrest, was initially charged with seven offences, including attempting to take a police officer's gun, during the incident.

A police officer was left with a cut to his hand while allegedly intervening in a fight involving Starling, 22, and his two brothers in 2020.

In January last year, all the charges relating to the incident against him were dropped except for one: hindering an officer.

In February of this year, the final charge against Starling was dismissed after a magistrate said police breached their duty when they "assaulted" him.

In a statement issued today, NSW Police confirmed they were "continuing to conduct inquiries in relation to the conduct of officers" who responded to the incident. 

Previously, the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney was shown CCTV footage of police punching Starling in the face multiple times, a scene Magistrate Covington at the time called a "free for all".

"One that is more typically seen in a street fight as opposed to officers in their duty," he said.

"Clearly what occurred was nothing other than Tom being assaulted himself."

Magistrate Covington also said Senior Constable Daniel Drew admitted to the court that he had "no reason to punch" Starling.

Today, Tom Starling's mother, Joanne, spoke to Radio 2GB about the incident that she said had turned her family's lives upside down.

"I was there and I witnessed the majority of it and to see that on the front page of the news was just devastating," she said.

Joanne told the radio station it had been a "tough few years" not just for her but for her extended family and friends who she said had stood by her.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart also told Radio 2GB he applauded the decision to investigate the officers' actions.

"When I heard the allegation about Tommy going for a policeman's gun, that obviously frightened me," the coach said.

"That was the first question I asked 'Did you do it?'. And I didn't ask him again because he's not a kid to lie to me and I supported him from here on in."

mercredi 14 juin 2023 13:24:00 Categories: ABC Sport

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