Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling could sue New South Police after assault charges are thrown out

The legal team representing Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling are considering legal action against New South Wales police after assault charges against the NRL star were thrown out yesterday. 

But the Raiders star himself is just looking forward to getting back to footy after a horror night out in 2020 was followed by another two years of nervously waiting for his case to go to trial. 

Starling, his brothers Jackson and Josh along with friend Jesse Byrne were all charged after a wild street brawl was caught on CCTV at Shady Palms Hotel in Avoca Beach in December 2020.

Starling shows the injuries he sustained during the brawl at the Shady Palms Hotel in Avoca Beach just after the incident

Starling looks to offload the ball during the round seven NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Canberra Raiders at BlueBet Stadium on April 24, 2022

It was alleged that a security guard called the Starling boys’ mother a derogatory term that sparked the brawl. During the incident, Starling was punched in the head repeatedly by police.

He had been charged with hindering police in the execution of duty but magistrate Daniel Covington dismissed the charge at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.

Tom’s lawyer Samar Singh-Panwar spoke to media after the case and suggested a potential civil case against NSW police could follow.

‘That (a lawsuit) is something that’s being considered and there’s certainly potential for a civil action case against NSW Police,’ Mr Singh-Panwar said outside court.

Brothers Jackson (left) Tom (2nd from right) and Josh (right) Starling leave the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney

‘The magistrate found the police weren’t acting in the execution of their duties, but more a street fight, which is something we’ve maintained from the outset.’

A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed an investigation by the Professional Standards Command into the conduct of police officers at the Shady Palms was ‘ongoing’.

Starling himself is just relieved the ordeal is over and he can prepare for the 2023 season with the Raiders. 

‘It’s been two and half years that it’s been lingering over my head but being able to come in here and be around the boys and play footy made it 100 times easier,’ he told foxsports.com.au before the case.

‘I’m looking forward to finally getting that done and really focusing on my footy again.

‘I’ve been back (to court) for two separate weeks in the season last year and then had to go back for another couple of sessions in the off-season.

‘No jury, just a judge. Longest one my lawyer has seen so looking forward to not having to put a suit on and going to court again.

‘Not many people look forward to a court date but it’s something I’m looking forward to for sure.’