The accused graffiti vandal behind “Pam the Bird” has made a fresh bid for freedom, with his grandmother promising to keep him in line if he is released.
Jack Gibson-Burrell, 21, allegedly broke into Victorian train stations, abseiled off buildings and scaled heritage-listed sites to spray-paint the cartoon-like bird.
He’s further accused of stabbing a man in West Footscray, punching a worker in the face at Emporium Melbourne, stealing multiple cars in Torquay and ramraiding a Nandos restaurant in Footscray.
Gibson-Burrell was denied bail on February 5 when Magistrate Johanna Metcalf found he was an unacceptable risk of reoffending because the social media notoriety was too enticing for him.
Barrister Peter Matthews SC made another application on Tuesday, claiming the risk was now reduced because Gibson-Burrell had a stable address, job prospects and a $30,000 surety.
His grandmother Joan Bell, 78, told the court Gibson-Burrell could live at her home in Geelong and she would ensure he followed any bail conditions.
She had previously worked at a backpackers and as a festival security guard so she knew how to handle young people, Bell told the court.
“It’s my house, my rules,” she said.
Bell accepted her grandson had a Ballarat job offer and she would be willing to drive close to three hours a day to bring him to work if needed, given he only held a learner’s permit.
“If that’s required, that’s what I’ll do,” she said.
Gibson-Burrell’s friend Finley Dale also offered up a $30,000 guarantee to the court, understanding he would lose his money if his friend breached his bail conditions.
Matthews said the job offer, surety and stable address were protective factors to reduce the risk of reoffending.
The court could also impose conditions like a curfew, mandatory reporting at the police station and a ban on spray-painting graffiti if needed, Matthews said.
But Senior Constable Scott Nicholls urged the magistrate to once again refuse Gibson-Burrell bail, maintaining he was still a danger to the community.
He told the court Gibson-Burrell’s offending had escalated and he did not believe Bell would be able to restrain him.
“If he is released on bail, I believe he will wreak havoc on Victorian streets,” Nicholls said.
Metcalf is due to hand down her bail decision on Thursday morning.
