Canberra Raiders player Tom Starling has been charged with assaulting a police officer after a Saturday night brawl at a restaurant on the NSW Central Coast.
Key points:
- Police were called to a Kincumber venue on Saturday after a patron refused to leave
- Four men face charges of assaulting an officer in execution of duty and affray
- The NRL says it is investigating the alleged incident
Starling, 22, is one of four men who have been charged over the incident in Kincumber, about 100 kilometres north of Sydney.
NSW Police said officers were called to the venue at the corner of the Scenic Highway and Avoca Drive, after security had asked for assistance over a patron who was failing to leave the venue.
“When police arrived, they were told the patron had left, so officers conducted a business inspection at the location,” police sad.
“While inside, police assisted security who were involved in an altercation with another patron who had allegedly failed to leave the premises.
“The 19-year-old man was arrested and while he was being escorted from the venue, police will allege three other men — aged 20, 22 and 24 — became aggressive and assaulted police numerous times in an attempt to intervene.”
The Public Order and Riot Squad was called in to assist and all four men were arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station.
During the incident, a male police officer sustained a cut to the hand.
The four men face charges including assaulting an officer in execution of duty and affray.
They were all granted conditional bail and will appear at Gosford Local Court on January 21.
In a statement, the NRL said it was investigating.
“The Canberra Raiders have reported an alleged incident involving Tom Starling to the Integrity Unit,” an NRL spokesperson said.
“The Integrity Unit is liaising with both NSW Police and the club.”
