Gun heist robber Shane Lewis Mundy to appeal sentence

AN Ipswich man jailed for eight years over Australia's biggest gun heist which was inspired by a film about Brenden Abbott has been given approval to appeal his sentence.

AN Ipswich man jailed for eight years over Australia's biggest gun heist which was inspired by a film about convicted bank robber Brenden Abbott has been given approval to appeal the severity of his sentence.

The Court of Appeal in Brisbane today granted Shane Lewis Mundy leave to appeal the sentence given to him by Ipswich District Court judge Deborah Richards in August last year.

Court of Appeal president Margaret McMurdo and Justices John Muir this morning granted Mundy's application for an extension of time to appeal after it was revealed documentation to the courts was lodged seven weeks late.

Justice Fraser, in handing down his findings, said it was Mundy's contention his lawyers had not informed him of his right to appeal his seven-year sentence or told him of the time frame in which it was to be lodged.

He said while Mundy's claims could not be verified he was prepared to grant leave for an extension of time to appeal against the sentence.

Justices McMurdo and Muir agreed with Justice Fraser findings, with Justice McMurdo informing Mundy, who represented himself in court today, that he should consider making a prompt application for legal aid to assist in his appeal.

The court was told the Crown, represented by prosecutor Ross Martin, SC, did not oppose the application for the time extension.

Mundy, now aged 34, was found guilty early last year of a charge of break, enter and stealing.

An Ipswich jury had been told Mundy, who acted as a look-out, helped pull off the nation's most daring gun heist.

Mundy, and at least one other man, broke into the Queensland Shooters Supplies store at West Ipswich on September 22, 2007 and stole 55 handguns and rifles.

More than $6000 in cash, ammunition and explosive powder was also taken in the "well-planned and professional strike".

The thieves accessed the building through a hole in the ceiling and disabled several security systems, including motion detection sensors.

The original trial prosecutor, Sal Vasta, told the jury one witness claimed her video rental store card was used to hire "The Postcard Bandit" before the break-in.

The Australian film is based on the life of Brenden Abbott and shows him breaking into a bank via the roof.

Lawyers for Mundy, at his sentencing hearing last year, said he only agreed to take part in the gun shop break-in to pay off a $1200 drug debt.

No date has been set for Mundy's appeal hearing.