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Jack Gibson-Burrell: Alleged Pam the Bird graffiti artist dons Spider-Man outfit in bizarre court appearance

The man police allege is behind Melbourne’s infamous Pam the Bird graffiti murals has donned a Spider-Man outfit as he dodged cameras outside court.

The man police allege is the sole artist behind Melbourne’s Pam the Bird graffiti has donned a Spider-Man outfit in an odd run-in with television cameras outside court.

Jack Gibson-Burrell dropped to the ground and performed one of the comic book character’s iconic poses before running down the street and feigning an attempt to climb the side of the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

The 21-year-old appeared in court shortly after midday on Thursday for a brief administrative hearing on a series of alleged offences including burglary, criminal damage, theft and assault.

Jack Gibson-Burrell launched into an iconic Spider-Man pose outside court. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling
Jack Gibson-Burrell launched into an iconic Spider-Man pose outside court. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling
Mr Gibson-Burrell was arrested in January 2025. Picture: NewsWire/ Ian Currie
Mr Gibson-Burrell was arrested in January 2025. Picture: NewsWire/ Ian Currie

Police allege Mr Gibson-Burrell is the artist behind a series of high-profile graffiti incidents depicting a cartoon bird in jaw-dropping locations across the city.

The former Yarraville resident was arrested on January 30 and initially charged with 59 offences.

But in court, Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz noted there were now 208 charges listed against Mr Gibson-Burrell.

During a bail application in February, where the accused man was freed to live with his grandmother in Geelong, police revealed Mr Gibson-Burrell had been under surveillance for more than 200 hours in 2024 and early 2025 as they worked to build a case against him.

A Pam the Bird mural in Geelong. Picture; Supplied.
A Pam the Bird mural in Geelong. Picture; Supplied.
A towering clock face above Flinders Street Station was tagged in July 2024. Picture: Supplied.
A towering clock face above Flinders Street Station was tagged in July 2024. Picture: Supplied.

“The accused is currently one of the most prominent graffiti artists in Australia,” Senior Constable Scott Nicholls alleged.

“The accused has committed, and will continue to commit burglaries to gain access to whichever locations he desires, and will frequently abseil to vandalise property with graffiti.”

The court was told Mr Gibson-Burrell’s lawyer, Mick Milardovic, had filed paperwork to prepare for a committal hearing — where a magistrate would hear the case and decide if there was sufficient evidence for it to go to trial.

Mr Gibson-Burrell with lawyer Mick Milardovic. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling
Mr Gibson-Burrell with lawyer Mick Milardovic. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

Mr Milardovic intends to question six witnesses, five police and one civilian, in the two-day hearing set down for February 2.

Mr Gibson-Burrell’s bail was extended and he will return to court on that date.

Read related topics:Melbourne

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/jack-gibsonburrell-alleged-pam-the-bird-graffiti-artist-dons-spiderman-outfit-in-bizarre-court-appearance/news-story/91ee955836f752c552d57024d6cf171f