Alleged Pam the Bird vandal Jack Gibson-Burrell launches fresh bid for freedom
Jack Gibson-Burrell has remained behind bars for more than three weeks since his arrest over the infamous Pam the Bird tags. But his grandma warns that he won’t have it easy if he’s bailed to live with her.
Police & Courts
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A prominent graffiti artist allegedly behind infamous Pam the Birds tags wants to be bailed to live with his Geelong grandmother who warned it was “my house, my rules”.
Jack Gibson-Burrell, 21, has been behind bars for more than three weeks after he was arrested and charged with more than 50 offences over graffiti tags of trains, buildings and Melbourne landmarks including the heritage-listed Flinders Street station clock.
He launched a second bid for freedom at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, seeking to be bailed to live with his grandmother in Geelong and offering a $30,000 surety provided by a friend.
Joan Bell gave evidence in support of the application, telling the court she was happy to house and monitor her grandson but warning it was “my house, my rules”.
Ms Bell said she had a close relationship with Gibson-Burrell and had previously worked at a backpackers and as security at folk festivals.
“I’ve got a pretty good understanding of younger people’s behaviour,” she said.
“I had a reputation of being firm but fair.”
Sporting a clean shave and short hair, Gibson-Burrell watched on from the dock as his grandmother gave evidence.
The Yarraville man is also facing allegations of assault, aggravated burglary and shop theft and is suspected of stabbing an associate in West Footscray.
Asked on Tuesday about allegations of violence and that he was quick to anger, Ms Bell said: “It’s not the grandson I know.”
“It’s nothing we’ve had in our household,” she said about living with him previously.
“I can’t even remember him having fights with his brother or mother, there’s been nothing.”
The court heard KOH Industries, which owns Ballarat-based streetwear label WNDRR, was prepared to employ Gibson-Burrell, who is unemployed, part-time if he were released.
His grandmother told the court she was prepared to make the three-hour round trip from Geelong to Ballarat or to a bus station so he could make it to work each day.
“It’s about priorities, you have to do what you have to do,” Ms Bell said.
A friend of Gibson-Burrell offered a $30,000 surety for his release, telling the court he was aware what would happen if he breached his bail.
“If he misbehaves then that money’s gone, I won’t get it back,” he said, also revealing the sum was about half his savings and made from his employment as a project manager and Crypto trading.
Opposing bail, Senior Constable Scott Nicholls said he was concerned Gibson-Burrell would continue to offend and endanger the public if released.
“Police believe he will wreak havoc on Victoria’s streets,” he said.
Police allege Gibson-Burrell is solely responsible for Pam the Birds tags which have been plastered across Melbourne, including on the heritage-listed Flinders Street station clock, the “Cheese Stick” above CityLink and Novotel at South Wharf.
The clean-up bill is estimated to be more than $200,000.
The court heard he was placed under covert surveillance since, with two hidden optical devices installed outside his Yarraville home after he allegedly tagged the Clifton Hill Shot Tower graffiti in October last year.
His lawyers previously flagged he would fight the charges.
Gibson-Burrell, who was refused bail earlier this month, will spend another two nights behind bars before a decision is handed down on Thursday.
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