The self-styled mercenary who assassinated bikie king pin Nick Martin at the Perth Motorplex has been unmasked four years after a suppression order was imposed to protect his identity.

Benjamin Luke Johnston ended Martin’s life with a single 300m shot in December 2020 but his name and face could not be revealed until Friday, when an application to bin two suppression orders was endorsed by the Supreme Court.

Justice Joseph McGrath ruled there was no reason to suppress Johnston’s identity, in part because anyone who had an interest in Martin’s murder knew who he was.

Johnston was sentenced to 20 years in December 2021 and was last year was the star witness in the trial of David James Pye — the man he claimed had paid him to kill Martin.

The 39-year-old former soldier’s identity had been hidden since his arrest in early 2021, over fears he would be killed before he could testify.

Police were worried that Johnston was in two sets of crosshairs — Martin’s allies, who may have been keen to exact revenge for the death of their mate; and Pye’s supporters, who may have wanted to prevent Johnston from spilling details of the murder conspiracy.

He was given the codename BLJ during the Pye trial, at the end of which the accused man — a one-time Rebel, one-time Comanchero who is now a Mongol — was given a life sentence.

Johnston’s lawyer Frank Merenda on Friday argued the two remaining suppression orders were obsolete.

Johnston wanted to be known by his real name because living under a pseudonym in prison was causing unnecessary hardship, Mr Merenda said.

Johnston was having trouble enrolling in a health sciences course he wanted to take and visitors were often unable to see him because of confusion at the front gate of Casuarina, where he is serving his time.

“There is no basis for these orders any longer,” Mr Merenda said. “The trial has been had, and evidence has been given.”

Judge McGrath questioned why the orders should remain, given anyone with an interest in the matter seemed to know who Johnston was.

“It’s reasonable commonly known in prison, his name and his identity,” Judge McGrath said. “He does not have the view his safety is threatened by publication.”

Johnston’s safety was central to the granting of the original suppression order.

It was widely assumed that the Rebels bikie gang, which was led in WA by Martin, would insist on eye-for-an-eye retribution.

However, events since then cast doubt on how many Rebels would have been eager to avenge their one-time leader’s death.

It emerged at the 2024 dirty money trial of senior Rebel Karl Labrook that Martin had been stealing from the club.

Labrook told Perth Magistrates Court that Martin was asked to step down as State president of WA’s biggest gang weeks before he was shot.

He said “all the members, all chapters” were dissatisfied with Martin solely handling the club’s cash, collected from weekly membership fees, the sale of motorbikes, and alcohol sales at parties and clubhouse bars, even sausage sizzles and raffles.

Disquiet emerged when it was suspected club cash had gone “missing” or into renovations at his big house, Mr Labrook said.

Pye’s high-profile lawyer, Paul Holmes, said the suppression order should be maintained because the legal matter was still live.

His client was yet to be sentenced, and an appeal would be lodged.

“Mr Pye and his legal team have a vested interest in maintaining the safety of Mr BLJ (so he) is available to give evidence at a later time,” Mr Holmes said.

Counsel for The West Australian, Tony McCarthy, said the orders no longer served any real purpose and WA Police did not object to lifting the suppression.

Johnston and Pye watched proceedings via video link from Casuarina prison, where they are both serving their time.

Bad blood between the men means jail guards are meticulous about ensuring they never cross paths behind the razor wire.

Pye approached the electrician-turned-barista with the view to commissioning him to kill Martin, Comanchero-in-exile Ray Cilli and Pye’s girlfriend.

Pye was aware of Johnston’s military background. When not base-jumping or skydiving, the thrill-seeking Johnston served with the Royal Australian Artillery.

He also worked for international mercenary group Shadows of Hope, which provides protection to doctors in war zones.