Feared criminal Gavin ‘Capable’ Preston to walk free from prison

One of Melbourne’s most feared criminals is about to walk free from prison, with both police and gangland figures watching on with interest.

Gavin Preston is about to serve out his jail sentence for the 2012 fatal shooting of drug dealer Adam Khoury. Picture: Hamish Blair

One of Melbourne’s most feared underworld figures is set to be released from jail.

Former Prisoner of War gang leader Gavin Preston will serve out his jail sentence for the 2012 fatal shooting of drug dealer Adam Khoury within months.

Preston was denied parole recently, likely as a result of an assessment based on the community’s safety.

Because he will have served out his maximum sentence, the Adult Parole Board will be unable to set control conditions upon Preston’s release.

His 11-year stint behind bars is likely to end in April or May.

Known as “Capable”, Preston remains a force in Melbourne’s crime world and other gangland figures are said to be watching his impending release with interest.

Gavin Preston (left) Gavin Preston with another inmate.

During his last stint outside prison walls, Preston was a close associate of Nabil Maghnie, an imposing triggerman since killed in a fracas in Epping in January, 2020.

Police investigated the pair over the near-fatal 2011 shooting of then-Bandido bikie Toby Mitchell outside the gang’s Weston St, Brunswick clubhouse.

There was also intelligence the duo were planning a hit on Carlton identity Mick Gatto, leading to police intercepting them as they drove through the city in a Mercedes Benz.

While in jail, Preston has been linked to the Comanchero and Mongols outlaw motorcycle gangs.

But he has previously denied he is a member of any outlaw bikie gang on social media.

Paramedics treat Preston after he was attacked inside Barwon Prison. Picture: YouTube

Police will be keeping a close eye on Preston due to his extensive criminal history.

Most notably, Preston formed jailhouse gang Prisoners of War with hardman Matthew Johnson while in Pentridge in the 1990s.

Things have changed since he went inside over the Khoury killing and Preston is no longer part of the PoW movement.

The PoW is suspected of posting video online of the aftermath of a stabbing ambush carried out on Preston in Barwon’s Eucalypt unit in 2014.

It is expected police will take a keen interest in the activities of Preston once he walks free.

He was suspected of causing such mayhem in the period before last being jailed that he had earned the nickname “Wrecking Machine”.