Paul Gruber: Berowra man to be sentenced over illegal gun importations

A father-of-two who was living a double life, stockpiling a deadly stash of weapons in Sydney’s leafy north shore, has had his sentencing delayed once again. Find out why.

A married disability pensioner and father-of-two from Sydney’s leafy upper north shore lived a double life ⁠— until it all came crashing down.

Now, after lengthy court proceedings, Berowra man Paul Leslie Gruber, 46, is once again left awaiting his fate after pleading guilty to importing weapons, possessing unregistered firearms, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, acquiring a firearm without the authority to do so, acquiring a pistol part and purchasing a pistol part.

Gruber’s world collapsed in August 2019 when he stepped off a flight from China and was taken straight into the custody of waiting AFP officers.

According to documents tendered to court in 2020, Gruber would import the items under the label “car parts”, detailing why they needed to be concealed, and repeatedly told sellers the reason for doing so was because “my girlfriend hates my hobby”.

“This will be sent to my address in FL then reshipped to me in Australia but that’s not important :),” court documents state he said in one transaction.

Paul Gruber leaving Downing Centre District Court in 2020. Picture: Gaye Gerard.

“Basically it needs to be ‘Girlfriend Stealth Packaged’ as she truly hates me spending money on my hobby,” he said in another. “My wife will kill me.”

Gruber’s girlfriend was not accused of having any knowledge of his illegal activity and has not been charged.

Paul Gruber guns.

Paul Gruber gun.

The documents set out how the AFP cracked the case, tracking shipments by Gruber to several addresses in Florida before they eventually ended up on Sydney’s upper north shore.

They had also intercepted messages to a relative on Telegram while Gruber was in China showing him repeatedly asking if any packages had arrived for him, according to the documents.

When the AFP searched a garage rented out by Gruber, they located two rifles, a pistol and almost 1000 rounds of ammunition he was not permitted to possess.

Since the dramatic bust, Gruber has pleaded guilty to 14 firearms-related charges.

On Friday at Downing Centre District Court, the court heard Gruber was suffering from a range of mental health issues and was in need of psychiatric help.

“His anxiety levels go up before court … (and) there is an inference being drawn that he is trying to find a way not to attend court,” Gruber’s defence lawyer said. “While he is (in breach of bail), he is in hospital — he’s not off in hospital or with his friends.”

But the prosecution said there was evidence of Gruber not following up on recommended psychiatric treatment and his mental health condition did change last night when he received an email reminding him of today’s court date.

Judge John Pickering said there had already been enough delays in the sentencing of Gruber.

“The sentence needs to take place (and) … I am fundamentally ready to proceed to sentence,” Judge Pickering said.

The matter was adjourned, with Gruber due to return to court for sentencing on November 18.