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A man accused of defacing Melbourne landmarks with graffiti appeared in court on Thursday wearing a Spider-Man costume, after fresh charges brought the total count against him to a staggering 208.
Jack Gibson-Burrell, 21, is accused of being the artist behind the tag ‘Pam the Bird’ and is facing criminal charges for allegedly spray-painting buildings, trains and public structures across the city.
Spider-Man in the Dock
In a moment that drew raised eyebrows and rolling cameras, Gibson-Burrell arrived at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court wearing a red Spider-Man mask. He later reappeared in a full-body superhero costume, flanked by his lawyer, Micky Milardovic.
Outside, he crouched, posed for photos and sprinted down the street, even appearing to scale a nearby CBD building. The stunt drew both confusion and curiosity from passers-by. Neither he nor his lawyer made any comments to the waiting media.
Inside the court, the update was serious. Gibson-Burrell was previously facing more than 50 charges. That number has now risen to 208.
Landmark Targets and a Bird Name
Prosecutors allege Gibson-Burrell is responsible for spraying ‘Pam the Bird’ across some of Melbourne’s most iconic structures.
Among the sites named in court documents are Flinders Street Station’s clock tower, the Clifton Hill Shot Tower, the ‘Cheese Stick’ column on CityLink and Channel Nine’s Docklands headquarters.
He is also accused of damaging train carriages and spray-painting a heritage building featuring a vintage Uncle Tobys advert, with that single act allegedly causing over $99,000 in damage. The estimated cost of all property damage now exceeds $300,000.
Despite the mystery surrounding the name ‘Pam the Bird’, police believe it’s the moniker Gibson-Burrell used in nearly every case.
More Than Just Vandalism
The charges go beyond graffiti. Court documents also list allegations of assault, trespassing, and behaving in a riotous manner inside the Emporium shopping centre. One charge involves abseiling down a structure more than 30 meters tall to tag it, a move police say endangered the public and emergency responders.
In previous hearings, police labelled him a ‘notorious vandal’ who risked lives by breaking into buildings and scaling infrastructure to leave his mark.
Gibson-Burrell has denied the allegations and is expected to contest all charges.
Bail and What’s Next
He was granted bail in February on the condition that he reside with his elderly grandmother and observe a strict curfew. Those conditions remain in place as the case progresses.
A two-day committal hearing has been set for February 2026. His defence team has been granted permission to cross-examine witnesses at that stage. A formal plea has not yet been entered.
The case has attracted widespread attention not just for the volume of charges, but for the dramatic court appearance. Footage of the Spider-Man moment has spread quickly online, prompting debate over whether the stunt was a form of performance art, defiance, or distraction.
Public Reaction
The online reactions have been divided, with some viewing Gibson-Burrell as a rebellious street artist pushing boundaries in a city renowned for its vibrant graffiti culture. In contrast, others call him reckless, arguing that the damage done is too costly to excuse.
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