Man accused of 'offensive' graffiti spree bailed to live with church minister

A 72-year-old man facing 44 counts of destroying or damaging property with "offensive" graffiti in Sydney's inner west has been granted bail. The prosecution argued against bail, saying based on alleged police facts, Brendon Michael Cribbin "doesn't appear to want to stop his behaviour". What's next? His bail was granted with conditions including that he live with a minister from his church and not enter Newtown or Glebe. A 72-year-old man arrested over dozens of alleged graffiti and malicious damage offences in Sydney's inner west has been granted bail, after a judge expressed surprise that he is not being charged under NSW hate speech laws. Brendon Michael Cribbin was arrested at a home in Glebe yesterday after police investigated incidents of "offensive" graffiti in that area and Newtown between March last year and this month. He faces 44 counts of destroying or damaging property. During a bail application today, a police prosecutor opposed Mr Cribbin's release, raising concerns about the risk of committing a serious offence and endangering the safety of individuals or the community. The prosecutor said Mr Cribbin had cooperated with police and made admissions, but based on the alleged police facts, he "doesn't appear to want to stop his behaviour". The exact nature of the alleged graffiti was not referenced in court. However, the prosecutor submitted that it had a detrimental impact on the community, "especially with the current climate and the increase we're seeing in violence for hate-related crime and speech". After reading some of the prosecution material, Judge Alison Viney said: "I'm surprised that wouldn't fall within that new hate speech legislation, quite frankly." Mr Cribbin's Legal Aid solicitor Yolandie Cherry said her client was a Vietnam War veteran who went to church every week in Newtown. She said he was willing to agree to not enter the area and not be in possession of graffiti implements, including markers. "He also plays golf, he does have those pro-social community connections," she told the judge. "Some of the things noted in the [alleged] facts are concerning, however not everything … is agreed by Mr Cribbin." She said he had unresolved mental health issues, including depression following the unexpected passing of his wife four years ago. 'It's just appalling' Judge Viney said she was reluctant to grant bail unless there was an assurance that someone like Mr Cribbin's son agreed to "monitor" or "babysit" him in the community. "That's the level this is at. It's just appalling," she said. "There's no evidence before me in terms of mental health issues. It may well relate to that, but just to allow him back to play his golf and do what he wants to do, is not going to happen, I don't think." The judge later granted bail on conditions, including that Mr Cribbin live with a minister from his church and be at that address unless in the company of the minister, not enter Newtown or Glebe, and not take alcohol or drugs. "I note some of the comments in the [alleged] facts suggest there may be further charges laid, depending on what their investigations reveal," she said. [Image text:] IC OKID LVINYL SET