The Rebels bikie gang member who murdered West Gosford business owner, Mr Laurie Starling, has been sentenced to 34 years, with a non-parole period of 25 years and six months.
Mr John Richard Weston fatally shot Mr Starling “on a whim”, as he left work on the evening of July 24, 2014, the NSW Supreme Court was told. There is no doubt that the murder was detestable and gravely reprehensible, if not extremely wicked,” Justice Stephen Rothman said in sentencing.
The court was told Mr Weston decided to murder Mr Starling after a dispute over a custom built motorcycle. Mr Starling purchased the unique vehicle from a man that the Rebels believed owed the motorcycle gang at least $200,000, the court was told. The court was also told how Mr Starling attempted to organise a rival gang to reclaim the motorcycle after the Rebels seized it from him. Following this, the Rebels and Mr Weston made several visits to Mr Starling’s West Gosford businesst prior to his murder on July 24.
The man who previously pleaded guilty to Mr Starling’s murder, Mr Timothy Rolfe, also a Rebels gang member, was sentenced on October 12.
Source: Document, Oct 11 R v John Richard Weston 2015/00181328 NSW Court Listing Online Registry Dilon Luke, Journalist