Two New South Wales police officers have been charged with assault after a brawl with NRL star Tom Starling on the state’s Central Coast more than three years ago.
Starling had been celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday at the Shady Palms restaurant at Kincumber on December 5, 2020, when police were called to the venue and an altercation occurred.
The young Canberra Raiders player, who received facial injuries, was initially charged with seven offences, including attempting to take a police officer’s gun.
He was cleared of any wrongdoing last year.
His youngest brother, Josh Starling, was found guilty of common assault and resisting police.
Police say a senior constable, 49, and a sergeant, 37, have now been charged with common assault after an investigation into the incident.
Both men are due to appear in court on March 7.
Previously, the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney was shown CCTV footage of police punching Starling in the face multiple times.
Magistrate Covington called the incident a “free for all” at the time.
The employment status of the two police officers is now under review.