Egan Mastin in court for charges relating to ice addiction

An Australian Motocross Champion determined to pursue his promising career has faced court for unlawful possession of a weapon and explosives while in a drug-induced state at a Queensland hinterland property.

Egan Mastin in action in his glory days as an Australian motocross champion. Photos: Instagram

An Australian motocross champion has appeared in court on firearm, explosive and drugs charges which threatened to derail his promising career.

Egan Louis Mastin, 24, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, explosives and “property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence” at a property in Doonan on 22 August, 2022.

Mastin wore tailored khaki pants and a white collared shirt and was supported by family members when he appeared in court this week to face the charges in front of Magistrate Raelene Ellis.

Police prosecutor Stephen Potter said Mastin was located in a private dwelling with the firearm “down the front of his pants, loaded and therefore ready to use” and a water pipe.

Although he didn’t attempt to use the firearm against police, it was concerning “as we know firearms and drugs can be a lethal combination,” Mr Potter said.

Representing Mastin, solicitor David Neuendorf advocated for drug and alcohol monitoring for his client to ensure “no further lapses.”

He also noted his “phenomenal achievements” as a professional motocross athlete, including five Australian Championship wins.

“He dropped out of school in Year 9 to follow his motocross career which began when he was 15 years old and, by himself, moved to Florida where he won an American Motocross Championship,” the court heard.

Mr Neuendorf told the court Mastin grew up in the Hunter Valley.

Egan Mastin races in the Mountain Man Motocross final at Echo Valley, Sunday, March 12, 2017.

“His mother left when he was aged seven, she disappeared and he has never seen her since,” Mr Neuendorf said.

After failing to gain sponsorship in the US and returning to Australia, Mastin sustained a “bad head knock” in 2018, which led to a dependency on painkillers.

In an Instagram post in 2018, he expressed his frustration. “I have worked so hard my whole career to get to this point in the sport and to achieve the championships I have.

“I personally have been burnt out both mentally and physically this year and it is the first season I have not finished.”

Mr Neuendorf explained how Mastin’s turned from “painkillers, into recreational drugs on the weekend, into moving to the Sunshine Coast, hanging with the wrong crowd and regular use of ice, which he developed a daily dependency on”.

Mr Neuendorf said Mastin now lived on the Gold Coast and took up full-time work as a roofer in September last year.

“He has also reinstated his motocross dream and has taken up sponsorship and is riding again,” Mr Neuendorf said.

“He is feeling in a much happier place and he knows he only has so many years where he can take up this rigorous sport.”

Ms Ellis said a psychologist’s report identified Mastin’s drug addiction at the time of the offence.

The report also identified the need for further treatment to address the “risky or hazardous use in relation to alcohol and to ensure drug relapse prevention”, Ms Ellis said.

Mastin was given 18 months’ probation.

A conviction was not recorded.