Man charged with Pam the Bird graffiti attacks on Flinders Street Station clock, CityLink Cheese Stick

The alleged culprit behind the infamous Pam the Bird graffiti tags on Melbourne landmarks — including the Flinders Street Station clock — has been unmasked as a 21-year-old from Yarraville.

The alleged culprit behind infamous Pam the Bird tags on Melbourne landmarks has been unmasked as a prolific graffiti artist and “notorious vandal” from Yarraville.

Jack Gibson-Burrell, 21, was on Thursday arrested and charged with more than 50 offences including criminal damage, burglary and theft.

Sporting a bruised nose and shaved head, he sat beside his co-accused, Matthew Raoul White, 39, in the dock of Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday as they applied for bail.

In opposing their release, Senior Constable Scott Nicholls said Gibson-Burrell was a serial tagger, detailing dozens of incidents including the defacing of the heritage-listed Flinders Street station clock, the “Cheese Stick” above CityLink and Novotel at South Wharf.

Jack Gibson-Burrell has been accused of tagging Pam the Bird graffiti on Melbourne landmarks. Picture: David Crosling

“The accused is currently one of most prominent graffiti artists in Australia,” he said.

“He’s a notorious vandal.

“The accused engages in high volume offending, it’s a certainty he will continue to reoffend ... in order for him to maintain his status within the Melbourne graffiti scene.”

Gibson-Burrell is also accused of drawing the cartoon bird on the Nine building in Docklands, a concrete silo in Geelong and dozens of trains and buildings, particularly in Melbourne’s west.

Abseiling gear and tools used to access buildings were allegedly seized during the men’s arrest.

The court heard the daring vandalism of the Flinders Street station clock took place about 3am on July 10 last year after Gibson-Burrell and Mr White gained access through internal ladders.

Gibson-Burrell then allegedly abseiled from a balcony to paint Pam which was later posted to his tens of thousands of Instagram followers.

A man has been charged over the Pam the Bird attack on Flinders Street Station clock. Picture: Ian Currie

The graffiti artist, who is unemployed, is also facing charges over several vehicle and theft charges.

In one incident, he allegedly stole three jackets from Emporium worth more than $1700.

CCTV footage played to court allegedly showed Gibson-Burrell punching a worker who confronted him after he left the store without paying.

He is also accused of ramming a stolen Volkswagen into a Nando’s restaurant on Barkly St in Footscray late last year, causing significant damage.

The court heard the vehicle was spray-painted with text reading “we don’t accept cash here” and “Nando dogs”.

Mr White, who owns Bodega Paint Shop in Abbotsford, is facing more than 20 criminal damage charges.

Police allege his tag ‘SROCK’ has been painted on several trains and city buildings, often beside ‘Pam’.

The damage and clean up bill from the alleged vandalism spree, which has spanned years now, is estimated to exceed $100,000.

Senior Constable Nicholls told the court police believed Gibson-Burrell is the only person responsible for Pam tags.

The then teenager was lucky to avoid jail in 2022 for spraying a security guard with red paint after he was caught painting the signature bird on a Brisbane train.

Pam the Bird graffiti on the CityLink Cheese Stick in October last year. Picture: Suppled

His victim was reportedly hospitalised with burns and breathing difficulties.

Gibson-Burrell squawked like a bird when questioned by reporters outside a Queensland court after that incident.

Pam the Bird has a sizeable online following, with the Instagram account @goodbirdtart, which is allegedly run by Gibson-Burrell and showcases his work, amassing nearly 70,000 followers.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jason Wombwell on Friday said the arrests were the result of a tough and “old-fashioned” police investigation.

“He definitely knows what he’s doing in terms of the climbing and gaining access,” he said.

Gibson-Burrell and Mr White were remanded in custody until Tuesday when their bail application will continue.

Pam the Bird art on silos in Geelong CBD.

Originally published as Man charged with Pam the Bird graffiti attacks on Flinders Street Station clock, CityLink Cheese Stick