Suppression order lifted on ex-soldier Benjamin Luke Johnston, revealing his identity in Nick Martin murder case
Consensus Summary
A suppression order on the identity of Benjamin Luke Johnston, a former soldier and sniper, was lifted by the WA Supreme Court on April 24, 2026, allowing his name to be publicly revealed. Johnston was hired by bikie David Pye in 2020 to assassinate ex-Rebels boss Nick Martin at Perth Motorplex, killing him with a sniper rifle from a long range. Johnston pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in December 2021, while Pye was later convicted of ordering the hit and awaits sentencing. Johnstonâs lawyer argued the suppression order hindered his ability to use his real name for education and prison visits, while Pyeâs legal team warned it could impact future trials. The court ruled Johnstonâs safety was no longer at risk, as he was already known within the prison system. Both sources confirm Johnstonâs military background, his work as an electrical engineer, and his involvement with the charity Shadows of Hope in Iraq, where he was interviewed by the AFP over suspected terrorist links.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Benjamin Luke Johnston, a former soldier, was hired by David Pye to murder ex-Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin at Perth Motorplex in 2020
- Johnston was sentenced to 20 years in jail in December 2021 for the murder of Nick Martin
- David Pye was found guilty of ordering the hit on Nick Martin and is awaiting sentencing
- Johnston testified in Pyeâs trial, stating Pye paid him $100,000 (though Johnston claimed he was promised $150,000)
- The WA Supreme Court lifted the suppression order on Johnstonâs identity on April 24, 2026, after his lawyer argued it hindered his ability to use his real name for education and prison visits
- Johnston served in the Army Reserves from 2004 to 2012 and worked as an electrical engineer on oil rigs in Western Australiaâs north
- Johnston was interviewed by the AFP in April 2021 over suspected involvement in terrorist activities in Iraq while working with the charity Shadows of Hope
- Johnstonâs lawyer, David Manera (spelled David Merena in NEWSCOMAU), argued his clientâs safety was not at risk from public identification
- Justice Joseph McGrath (spelled Joe McGrath in ABC) granted the lifting of the suppression order, stating Johnston was known by the prison population and no longer feared for his safety
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Johnston claimed he had carried out so many executions in Iraq and Syria he had lost count, describing himself as an experienced assassin.
- Johnston had a large social media presence with active YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram pages, including videos of wingsuit BASE-jumping and a description calling him a 'thrill-seeker and heart-breaker'.
- Johnston was nicknamed 'Baz' (meaning 'Hawk') by local Kurds in Iraq, and his YouTube channel described him as a 'Smart-ass' with a 'Base jumping problem'.
- Johnstonâs lawyer argued he could not enroll in a health and science degree due to the suppression order preventing him from using his real name.
- Pyeâs lawyer, Paul Holmes, argued Johnstonâs public identification could affect a future jury pool if he were to speak in media or podcasts.
- Johnstonâs social media post described him as a 'prolific wingsuit BASE-jumper' who had appeared in documentaries and competed globally, with one video garnering over 85,000 views.
- Johnston was working in security for the charity Shadows of Hope in Iraq when Pye contacted him about the hit.
- Johnston shot Nick Martin in the chest with a sniper rifle from hundreds of meters away at Perth Motorplex in front of his family.
- Johnston pleaded guilty to the murder of Nick Martin.
- WA Police confirmed they no longer contended the suppression orders were necessary to ensure Johnstonâs safety.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC spells Johnstonâs lawyer as David Manera, while NEWSCOMAU spells it as David Merena.
- ABC refers to the judge as Joe McGrath, while NEWSCOMAU refers to him as Justice Joseph McGrath.
- ABC states Johnston was short-changed $50,000 (promised $150,000 but received $100,000), while NEWSCOMAU only mentions Pye paid him $100,000 without specifying the promised amount.
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