A bombmaker known for crafting “homemade napalm” has been sentenced to eight years in prison following an incident that led to major evacuations in Melbourne’s central business district. Steven Mauldon’s arrest on June 2024 prompted significant police action, including the deployment of the bomb squad after he was found driving a stolen vehicle.
During the search of the car, heavily armed officers discovered not only drugs but also a homemade gel blaster gun and a suitcase filled with illegal items, which included knuckledusters, counterfeit car registration plates, and various identification cards belonging to others. The County Court heard that authorities later raided Mauldon’s mother’s home in North Shore, Geelong, where they uncovered two explosive devices in a large grey suitcase stored in an outdoor shed.
These devices, which consisted of paint tins linked to electrical detonators, contained a dangerous mixture of petrol and soap. Judge Gavan Meredith emphasized that while the devices lacked proper wiring, they were still deemed capable of causing significant harm, stating, “Anyone in close proximity could be killed or injured.”
In the lead-up to his arrest, Mauldon had boasted about his creations, even sending videos to acquaintances, including an ex-girlfriend. One such video was ominously captioned “Boom boom,” with the bombmaker claiming, “Each one can legit bring down a whole apartment building.” He also expressed discomfort about his own inventions in messages, such as one sent to a contact named “Cyrus the Virus,” where he remarked on the dangerous capabilities of his suitcase full of bombs.
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Upon his arrest, Mauldon chose not to provide police with explanations for his actions but appeared to take pride in the destructive potential of his devices, as highlighted by Judge Meredith. He later pleaded guilty to several charges, including offenses related to explosives, weapons, driving, drug possession, and handling stolen goods.
The court further revealed that the 35-year-old had a documented history of drug addiction and prior criminal activities involving firearms. Notably, he had been released from prison only a short time before his latest arrest. Since being taken into custody, Mauldon has reportedly been involved in rehabilitation efforts, helping fellow inmates with drug and alcohol issues.
In the courtroom, Mauldon, dressed in a black suit and shirt, was visibly subdued as he received his sentence—which includes a six-year non-parole period—before being escorted back to confinement.
