Jack Gray: Lower Plenty vandal hit with type of house arrest

New allegations against a man who has repeatedly been caught graffitiing have led to a court banning him from leaving his home without strict conditions.

Gray has convictions for graffitiing. (Generic photo).

A serial vandal, who allegedly tried to rob a man who caught him in the act, has been slapped with strict conditions on leaving his home to prevent him graffitiing.

Jack Gray was told he was “borderline” for being eligible for bail and an “absolute risk” of graffitiing when he fronted Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on November 19.

The 26-year-old was allegedly caught writing “Bowsta Euros” in permanent marker on a Watsonia phone box after 2.30pm on October 15, with a man taking a photo of the tag and a photo of the car Gray and his unknown friend got into.

Gray and his friend then allegedly got out of the car and confronted the man, who sought refuge in a nearby bakery.

The man was walking in Macleod shortly after when Gray and his associate allegedly ran at him, yelling, “Give me your phone”.

The terrified man allegedly ran and flagged down a passing motorist before going to the police.

The court heard the man had been left fearful for his safety, with Gray knowing where he lived.

It was heard Gray had multiple prior convictions for graffitiing, including on trains, which required thousands of dollars to restore, as well as previous convictions for crimes including aggravated burglary with an offensive weapon and assault.

Gray also has priors for drug-related offending.

Gray’s lawyer said his client could spend longer on remand than he could be sentenced to for the crimes, asking for the trades assistant to be bailed to live with his father in Lower Plenty.

Magistrate Denise Livingstone responded: “A good dad can’t prevent you doing utter madness if that’s what you want to do.”

Ms Livingstone said she really could not understand Gray’s history of graffitiing.

“Maybe it’s an art but it’s illegal,” she said.

“This person is an absolute risk of some more graffiti.”

Gray refused to reveal to the court who his associate out of what he said were safety concerns.

Ms Livingstone said Gray was “borderline for bail” and she had “some real concerns” about letting him back into the community.

She released him on the condition he only leave the house if accompanied by his girlfriend, dad or brother unless going to work.

He was banned from leaving the house from 7pm to 7am at all.

Gray is also required to do weekly drug screens and provide the results to the court.