Alleged Pam the Bird graffiti vandal, Jack Gibson-Burrell, gets bail

The man allegedly behind the infamous Pam the Bird graffiti has been granted bail after a magistrate was persuaded he would abide by strict conditions living with his “no-nonsense” grandma.

A man allegedly behind infamous Pam the Bird tags has been bailed to live with his grandmother in Geelong.

Jack Gibson-Burrell, 21, was on Thursday granted bail with strict conditions including a curfew after he was arrested and charged with more than 50 offences over graffiti tags plastered on trains, buildings and Melbourne landmarks.

Magistrate Johanna Metcalf ordered the Yarraville man to surrender his passport, report to police twice a week and not possess graffiti or abseiling equipment, warning him he would return to custody if he breached his bail.

Seated in the dock of Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Gibson-Burrell nodded as his conditions were explained to him.

Jack Gibson-Burrell leaves the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after been granted bail. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Gibson-Burrell was denied bail earlier this month. Picture: Ian Currie

Gibson-Burrell was denied bail earlier this month after Ms Metcalf found he posed an unacceptable risk of reoffending and endangering the public.

“I am persuaded the ground has shifted since the previous bail application,” she said on Thursday.

Ms Metcalf said she was persuaded to grant bail after hearing evidence from Gibson-Burrell’s grandmother Joan Bell and that there were offers of employment and a $30,000 surety available.

Ms Bell earlier told the court she was happy to house her grandson but warned it was “my house, my rules”.

Pam the Bird graffiti tags around Melbourne.

“She has a bond with the accused and clearly wants to assist him,” the magistrate said.

“She impressed me as an honest, no nonsense witness and a capable person.”

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.

Police allege Gibson-Burrell is solely responsible for dozens of 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.

He is also accused of stabbing a man, assaulting a shop worker and ramming a Nando’s restaurant with a stolen car which had “Nando dogs” and “we don’t accept cash here” spray painted on the side.

Police opposed bail, with Senior Constable Scott Nicholls earlier telling the court Gibson-Burrell would “wreak havoc” if released.

A sketch of Jack Gibson-Burrell from an earlier bail application. Picture: Paul Tyquin

The court heard the case against Gibson-Burrell was circumstantial and police were relying on phone location data to link him to the graffiti.

Police allege Gibson-Burrell runs Instagram account @goodbirdart which has more than 80,000 followers and showcases his work.

The court heard investigators were working with the FBI to carry out a search warrant on tech company Meta to link Gibson-Burrell to the account.

Gibson-Burrell was placed under covert surveillance, with two hidden optical devices installed outside his Yarraville home after he allegedly tagged the Clifton Hill Shot Tower last October.

Ms Metcalf said there were triable issues and it could take up to two years before he faced trial due to delays in collecting evidence.

“It is clear there are real issues in contention about whether the circumstantial evidence is enough to identify the accused beyond reasonable doubt that he is the offender,” she said.

Gibson-Burrell denies he is behind Pam the Bird, with his lawyers indicating he would contest the charges.

Covering his face with a white cloth and accompanied by his lawyer, Gibson-Burrell refused to comment as he left court on Thursday afternoon.

He was driven away in an unplated black Porsche SUV.

Gubson-Burrell will return to court in June.

Originally published as Alleged Pam the Bird graffiti vandal, Jack Gibson-Burrell, gets bail