This ‘monster’ received a 40% discount and was jailed for six years. He’s free after less than two
Friday, 5 June 2026
George Murphy Starling was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in 2024 for drugging and raping two women in 2011.
Starling was afforded 40% worth of discounts at his sentencing, including a good character discount that could soon be abolished.
This week Starling was released, less than two years after being jailed, angering one of his victims.
A “monster” who drugged and raped women was given a 10-year prison starting point, reduced to six years after credits including a good character discount that National has proposed to abolish if re-elected. George Murphy Starling has now been released by the Parole Board at the first opportunity, serving less than two years. Jake Kenny reports.
Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing.
When Eve* first spoke to police about the worst night of her life, it took four more years before the man responsible faced trial.
She gave evidence in front of him and a room of strangers, and it was put to her directly that she was lying.
It was the hardest thing she’s ever done.
“I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone,” she says.
Eve has spoken to Stuff because of a development in her rapist’s case that she believes shows how the justice system favours offenders over the well-being of victims.
George Murphy Starling drugged and raped Eve in 2011. She was one of two victims from the same night, at the same party, at their home - a flat of four young women who went to university together. He was not charged over those incidents until 2020. By then he’d already served time for the 2011 rape of a third woman.
Eve felt relieved when a jury found Starling guilty of her drugging and rape in 2024. She told the court at his sentencing of the everlasting impact his actions would have on her life.
She felt further emboldened as the judge set a sentencing start point of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Then came the discounts.
Starling received credits for youth and prior good character - discounts that were also afforded to him at his 2013 sentencing.
National recently announced plans to abolish good character discounts for sexual offenders, if it is re-elected.
Eve says all that does for her is serve as another kick in the guts.
Starling suffered a serious head injury after the rapes (this was disclosed at his sentencing, but how the injury was suffered was not). He was credited for this, as prison would be harder for him than normal. He was also credited for his prior jail sentence - an adjustment judges are required to take into account by law.
That brought his sentence down to six years.
For Eve it was hard to take, but still enough time for her to focus on herself, recover from the ordeal, and put everything that happened in the rear vision mirror.
That was until earlier this year when Eve got a call from the Parole Board to advise her that Starling’s first parole hearing was coming up, inviting her to make a statement if she wished.
By that point, she felt like the trial was only yesterday.
But, according to Eve, the Parole Board representative assured her that Starling being up for parole was a standard part of the process, and she need not worry about the result.
She provided her statement to the Board to Stuff.
“He has shown no remorse for what he has done and irrevocably changed my life,” Eve’s statement says.
“After his incarceration, I thought I would begin to feel safe again; however, it has only given me additional stress and anxiety for the day he is released because I am scared of what would happen should he see me in public.”
Eve alleged comments were made towards her by supporters of Starling at his trial, and again at her sentencing, that made her feel more unsafe.
If Starling were to be released, she asked for the Board to impose an exclusion zone barring him from living close to her.
In its decision released this week, the Parole Board granted Starling’s release.
It cited his low risk and his pro-social life in the community following his release from his first prison sentence in 2015, before he was jailed again in 2024. He had not offended in that time, the decision noted.
It said the Board had received Eve’s statement and was mindful of it.
“[We] spoke to Mr Starling about his past offending and he was able to explain that consent was a significant issue in his offending. That is an absence of consent. He now understands he must communicate and ensure consent is present during any encounters.”
Reading the decision is hard enough for Eve, but that particular passage brings her to tears.
“How did they whittle it down to that? I was completely incapacitated. I had been drugged. I had no chance to ever give consent.”
Eve is thankful for the support she received prior to the trial, but says it all went away the moment the man who raped her was jailed.
She and Starling were once friends. They briefly flatted together. Eve was the one who invited him to the party on the night he raped her.
She says that guilt will never leave.
About a month before his trial, Eve began to have seizures - something she had never experienced prior. She has since been diagnosed with epilepsy.
She fears they will recur, especially given Starling will be allowed to live close to her.
“The system is protecting a monster, meanwhile I will be on medication for the rest of my life.
“I don’t want to get too political … but what does this say to young men? That you can take advantage of women and get a slap on the wrist. I know prison is not easy, but this is two years versus the rest of my life.
“I do not understand or agree with any of it.”
*Not her real name
Where to get help
Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines.
Victim Support 0800 842 846.
Safetalk text 4334, phone 0800 044 334 webchat safetotalk.nz or email support@safetotalk.nz.
The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.
Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843
Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only).
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
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