Notorious armed robber Brett Maston has been handed additional prison time in the Perth District Court after being caught with a loaded firearm and nearly $100,000 in suspected criminal proceeds.
Criminal History Catches Up
Brett Robert Maston, a 45-year-old with an extensive criminal record spanning decades, faced Judge Carmel Barbagallo on Thursday for sentencing. The court heard disturbing details about Maston's latest offenses, which occurred while he was already serving time for other serious crimes.
Police discovered Maston's latest violations during a routine search of his Casuarina Prison cell in October 2022. Officers found a loaded .22 calibre revolver hidden in his cell, along with 95 rounds of ammunition. The weapon was fully functional and ready to fire.
In a separate but related incident, authorities uncovered $99,940 in cash that Maston had attempted to conceal from law enforcement. The money is believed to be proceeds from criminal activity, though its exact origin remains under investigation.
Pattern of Dangerous Behavior
Maston's criminal history paints a picture of a dangerous repeat offender. His record includes multiple armed robbery convictions, with his most recent sentencing occurring in 2021 when he received an 11-year prison term for a series of pharmacy robberies committed in 2020.
During those robberies, Maston threatened staff with a knife and screwdriver while demanding drugs and cash. The court noted his complete lack of remorse for those crimes and his continued pattern of violent behavior.
Judge Barbagallo emphasized that Maston's latest offenses demonstrated his ongoing disregard for the law and his willingness to engage in criminal activity even while incarcerated. The possession of a loaded firearm within a prison environment represented a significant security risk to both staff and other inmates.
Sentencing and Future Implications
Judge Barbagallo sentenced Maston to three years and three months in prison for the latest offenses, with the term to be served concurrently with his existing sentence. This means he'll remain behind bars until at least 2028 before becoming eligible for parole.
The judge noted that Maston's extensive criminal history and the serious nature of possessing a firearm in prison warranted a substantial penalty. She also highlighted the need to protect the community from someone with such a demonstrated pattern of violent behavior.
Maston will be eligible for parole in 2028, though authorities expressed concerns about his rehabilitation prospects given his continued criminal activity while imprisoned. The case has raised questions about security measures within the prison system and the ability to prevent dangerous contraband from entering correctional facilities.
With this latest sentencing, Maston's total prison time continues to extend, reflecting the justice system's determination to keep a dangerous repeat offender off Western Australia's streets for the foreseeable future.
