Brett Maston: Notorious armed robber cops more jail time over loaded gun, nearly $100,000 in dirty money

Brett Maston has copped more jail time after a judge failed to accept he carried a loaded gun - alongside $10,000 in cash - because he was a firearms enthusiast. The notorious armed robber was once dubbed Australia’s most wanted criminal after pulling off two escapes from custody including in 1995 when he fled Fremantle Hospital with his gun-toting then girlfriend. They were dubbed Bonnie and Clyde while on the run, with Maston later proudly tattooing his bandit at-large status across his back. The 59-year-old returned to headlines last year when he cut off an electronic ankle bracelet that monitored his movements while on bail for three fresh offences. He had been out of jail on remand for just a week when he removed the tracker and it took police only a few hours to hunt him down in Kenwick. Maston has already served a mandatory six months for that offence and was sentenced by District Court of WA Judge Lindsay Fox on Thursday to an extra four years and five months. The court was told Maston was found with $9825 and a Baretta pistol, loaded with eight rounds, when police pulled over his car in Warwick in March 2024. “It is the combination of those things found together that give rise to the gravamen of the offence,” Judge Fox said. The judge said he did not accept Maston’s explanation for the firearm, saying there was “nothing particularly interesting” about that weapon. And when police raided a Westminster home where he was staying that same day, more than $200,000 in cash was discovered, with about $85,200 of it reasonably expected of being unlawfully obtained. Judge Fox said Mason’s “lengthy and serious” criminal record did him no credit. Defence lawyer Damien Cripps said his client could reform himself if he put his mind to it, with the prospect of reuniting with his daughter and grandchild to look forward to. Maston realised that if he did not, he would continue to go in and out of prison, Mr Cripps submitted. But Judge Fox said he was at a relatively high risk of reoffending, with little insight into his offending and remorse. Outside court, Mr Cripps said it was a lot for his client - who was now older and wiser - to take on board. “I genuinely believe that he’s travelled a long way,” the lawyer said. “It’s a difficult day for him, today. “My view is, everybody has the prospect of rehabilitation, and it’s just a matter of whether an individual, a community or a court is prepared to accept and give that opportunity.” The sentence was backdated to September last year and Maston was made eligible for parole after serving two years and five months. He could remain behind bars until February 2029 if that’s not granted.