Woman 'deeply regrets' packing golden gun in luggage

Liliana Goodson admitted illegally importing a firearm and ammunition. (Jane Dempster/AAP PHOTOS)

A woman who "deeply regrets" packing a gun in her bag before she flew to Australia will face sentencing in December following further delays in her court case.

Liliana Goodson admitted illegally importing an unauthorised illegal firearm and illegally importing ammunition as she faced a hearing earlier this year.

The 30-year-old was arrested at Sydney Airport in April 2023 after being questioned by Australian Border Force officers about the 24-carat gold-plated pistol, worth about $3000, in her luggage.

Gold-plated handgun found in Liliana Goodson's luggage
The 24-carat gold-plated pistol, worth about $3000, was found in Liliana Goodson's luggage.

The court was previously told Goodson came to Australia to attend clown school.

On Friday when Goodson was listed to be sentenced, Downing Centre Local Court was told she has more recently focused her creative efforts on music and has produced a dozen songs for an album she’s working on, in addition to volunteering at an art centre.

“That creative side is coming back out now … she’s capable of rehabilitation … and she wishes for me to convey to the court how sorry she is for what she’s done,” her lawyer Chris Davis told the court.

“It’s taken her a while to get to this point but she’s here and she is sorry she packed the gun and shipped off the ammunition to this country, and she deeply regrets the course of action that she took."

Liliana Goodson (left) and supporter
The court was told Liliana Goodson has more recently focused her creative efforts on music.

The separately shipped ammunition was the wrong calibre for the gun.

Magistrate Susan Horan questioned Goodson’s report of being “drug-free” after noting she did not appear to be “following the proceedings terribly well”.

“When there’s no independent evidence I can’t accept that from the bar table,” Ms Horan said.

Mr Davis said Goodson wanted to get tests to support her claim. 

Prosecutors opposed an adjournment after earlier telling the court a picture of the gun “speaks for itself”.

Liliana Goodson (file image)
Liliana Goodson claimed the gun was for her own protection.

“This is a very confronting piece of firearm, which in my submission would terrify anyone presented with it,” crown prosecutors submitted.

Goodson claimed the gun was for her own protection.

"Protection by such means of having a firearm, is not the laws of Australia … a stance perhaps some Australians take pride in," prosecutors said.

The case will return to court in December.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store