By Erin Pearson
Pam the Bird accused Jack Gibson-Burrell will be released into the community on the condition he doesn’t possess graffiti implements, with a warning from the magistrate that he’ll be back behind bars if he reoffends.
The 21-year-old from Yarraville was granted bail on Thursday to live with his grandmother in Geelong under a curfew.
Jack Gibson-Burrell leaves Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after being granted bail on Thursday.Credit: Joe Armao
Gibson-Burrell had earlier argued he should be released so he can work in a paint company, despite police alleging he is one of Australia’s most prolific graffiti artists and the sole person behind the tags, which have appeared across Melbourne and Geelong.
He allegedly graffitied property and buildings, including trams, the Novotel South Wharf hotel, the Channel Nine building in Docklands, the “cheese stick” column on CityLink, and Flinders Street Station during the past year.
On December 20, he 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.
Gibson-Burrell has also more recently been charged with intentionally causing injury after allegedly stabbing a man with a kitchen knife.
Jack Gibson-Burrell exits the court after being granted bail on Thursday.Credit: Justin McManus
In opposing bail, Senior Constable Scott Nicholls had told the court police deemed the 21-year-old a serious offender who would “wreak havoc on Victorian streets” if released.
“There are a plethora of victims in this matter. If I could queue them all up in a line at the front of this court, I think it would be a significant sight to see,” Nicholls said on Tuesday.
He is facing more than 50 charges, including criminal damage, aggravated burglary and car theft, with an estimated damage bill of more than $200,000.
In February, Gibson-Burrell was denied his first attempt at bail after a court heard he’d been charged with a raft of offences, including an unprovoked attack on an Emporium store worker in December 2023 and aggravated burglary on the Surf Coast.
Journalists seek comment from Jack Gibson-Burrell as he leaves court with his face covered on Thursday.Credit: Justin McManus
Magistrate Johanna Metcalf said at the time Gibson-Burrell’s behaviour was a risk to public safety.
During his earlier bail application, police said they were working on a request to the FBI to carry out a search warrant on Instagram to try and link Gibson-Burrell to the account, where images and videos of the cartoon bird were posted to more than 70,000 followers.
Gibson-Burrell denies being the graffiti offender, with Metcalf saying police had a complex circumstantial case.
She said Gibson-Burrell was also young, had a limited prior criminal history, and any prosecution may take some time to reach trial.
Friend Finlay Dale, who told the court he practises calisthenics with the accused in parks each week, also offered a $30,000 cash surety.
The magistrate granted Gibson-Burrell bail with a list of strict conditions.
“All of the charges are contested. There is no direct evidence identifying the accused as the offender,” she said. “If you breach you bail you can be expected to be swiftly remanded.”
Gibson-Burrell left court with a white T-shirt covering his head before stepping into a waiting Porsche Cayenne with lawyer Micky Milardovic and prospective employer Steve Kirby.
Images of Pam the Bird graffiti around Melbourne.Credit: The Age
He will return to court in June.
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