By Erin Pearson
Is it Pam the Bird? No, it’s Spider-Man!
After a hearing detailing more than 200 charges against him, and a quick costume change in the bathrooms, the alleged “Pam the Bird” graffiti artist left a Melbourne courthouse on Thursday dressed as the cartoon hero.
Jack Gibson-Burrell, who has been accused of vandalising landmarks across Melbourne and Geelong over several years, pushed through a throng of reporters on the court steps in a Spider-Man costume before attempting to scale a wall.
One journalist asked: “Are you protecting the neighbourhood or decorating it?”
Gibson-Burrell did not answer, instead running into a nearby bike lane, imitating Spider-Man’s famous hunched run while clad in a full-body costume.
The colourful antics came minutes after he was told the court was unable to accommodate his case until next year.
Jack Gibson-Burrell arrived at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday wearing a Spider-Man mask.Credit: AAP
Inside the court, Gibson-Burrell sat alone in the front row while his lawyer Micky Milardovic told the magistrate his client intended to fight the charges, with Milardovic cross-examining witnesses at an upcoming hearing.
Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz expressed surprise when she learned the court did not have two days free for this to occur until February 2026.
She noted more than 150 extra charges had been laid and granted the defence’s application to question the prosecution’s witnesses.
Standing before the magistrate, Gibson-Burrell said he had no questions for the court. His bail was extended until February 2.
A still from footage of Jack Gibson-Burrell pretending to scale a wall after leaving court.Credit: Nine News
Court documents released to the press show some of the fresh charges include allegations he “king hit and stabbed” a victim multiple times at West Footscray on January 3, 2025, placing the injured person in danger of death.
He is also now charged with trespassing on the site of the old Victoria Police headquarters in Docklands with an intent to cause damage, and causing $99,000 damage to an Uncle Toby’s advertisement in June 2024 that police say has cultural significance.
Other charges relate largely to allegations the accused trespassed on and caused criminal damage to trains and related sites, abseiled down buildings above 30 metres without permission, and caused $300,000 damage to the Clifton Hill shot tower.
Documents show police allege Gibson-Burrell also used or was complicit in the use of a drone in a controlled airspace, and later a populous area, on December 30, 2024.
Gibson-Burrell was released on bail earlier this year with a warning from the magistrate that he would be back behind bars if he offends.
Police allege he is one of Australia’s most prolific graffiti artists and the sole person behind the distinctive tags that have appeared across Melbourne and Geelong.
His alleged graffiti targets include property and buildings, including trams, the Novotel South Wharf hotel, the Channel Nine building in Docklands (owner of this masthead), the “cheese stick” column on CityLink, and Flinders Street Station during the past year.
He is also charged with assaulting a shop worker, aggravated burglary and intentionally causing injury.
On December 20, he also allegedly stole a car from Torquay before twice ramming the white Volkswagen into the front doors of a Footscray Nandos, with the message “we don’t accept cash here” and “Nando dogs” spray-painted on the car.
At the time of his bail application, police told the court they feared the accused would “wreak havoc on Victorian streets” if released.
He was then facing more than 50 charges, including criminal damage, aggravated burglary and car theft, with an estimated damage bill of over $200,000.
On Thursday, the court heard the number had ballooned to 208 charges.
He is expected to return to court in February.
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