The identity of the sniper who shot dead bikie boss Nick Martin can be revealed for the first time more than five years after the murder.

Trained sniper Benjamin Luke Johnston is serving a 20-year prison sentence for the murder and successfully overturned a suppression order on Friday.

Martin, a prominent figure in the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang, was gunned down in front of a crowd as he sat with his wife at Perth Motorplex in December 2020 during a drag racing event in what authorities described as a calculated and brazen hit.

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Johnston, who has a military background and experience working in conflict zones overseas, pleaded guilty to the murder and was sentenced in 2021.

Armed with a .308-calibre rifle, he carried out the shooting from 365m away.

The bullet passed through the 51-year-old Martin’s back and struck his son-in-law Ricky Chapman in the left leg before lodging in his arm.

Martin died in hospital but his son-in-law survived.

The identification of Johnston had previously been the subject of a court suppression order over fears he would be killed in prison before he could testify.

His lawyer, Frank Merenda, told the court Johnston was already widely known within the prison system and moved freely within his unit without fearing for his safety.

The court also heard Johnston sought to have the order lifted due to difficulties in custody, including issues receiving mail and arranging visits.

He was also enrolled in a health science degree through a university but was unable to study under his own name.

The court heard he carried out the long-range shooting after being hired by David James Pye, 43 — a former associate of Martin — who was later found guilty of orchestrating the murder.

Johnston received a substantial sentencing discount in exchange for his co-operation in the Pye trial.

Pye enlisted Johnston to carry out the killing in exchange for a six-figure payment, prosecutors said.

Pye’s high-profile lawyer, Paul Holmes, opposed the suppression order being lifted.

He told the court his client has not yet been sentenced — scheduled for May — and the matter remains before the courts.

Holmes also confirmed an appeal would be lodged against Pye’s conviction.