Jack Gibson-Burrell’s legal team successfully argued for his release on bail, which includes a night-time curfew, a $30,000 surety, and residency with his grandmother.
On Thursday, the 21-year-old appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court for the outcome of his second bail application. Last month, he was charged with over 50 offences, including criminal damage estimated at over $200,000, aggravated burglary, shop theft, and stealing a motor vehicle.
Magistrate Johanna Metcalf ruled that regular employment, a bail guarantee, and living with his grandmother would reduce risks to an “acceptable level.”
Metcalf was convinced that Gibson-Burrell’s grandmother would help him follow his bail conditions, describing her as a “no nonsense” person.
The decision to grant bail took into account concerns about whether the evidence could prove beyond reasonable doubt that Gibson-Burrell is the offender.
Police had alleged that Gibson-Burrell was behind the famous cartoon-like bird graffiti found across Melbourne and Geelong, including on the Flinders Street station clock.
Gibson-Burrell has indicated that he plans to contest all the charges. His lawyer, Peter Matthews, SC, mentioned that his client has two jobs lined up.
Joan Bell, Gibson-Burrell’s grandmother, testified that she is willing to have her grandson live with her and support his bail conditions, emphasizing that it’s her house and her rules.
Officers had spent more than 200 hours investigating Gibson-Burrell, along with reviewing over 100 hours of CCTV footage, the court heard previously.
Gibson-Burrell is scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 6 for a committal mention.
