Derryn Truong given a suspended sentence for filming his two flatmates showering

A pervert who secretly filmed his housemates showering for weeks with a hidden pen camera told police he did it for sexual gratification and a feeling of power.

A woman was left feeling “disgusted and embarrassed” upon realising that she had been secretly filmed showering by someone she trusted.

Derryn Truong, 24, seriously invaded his flatmates’ privacy over a two-week period by setting up a spy camera.

The Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday heard that Truong filmed two adult women who were sharing accommodation with him in January.

One of his victims noticed that Truong had put a basket in the bathroom to store his personal items.

“She noticed that one of the items was a pen … (the victim) observed that the basket had been moved gradually over time towards the shower,” Magistrate Nick Alexandrides said during sentencing

The court heard Truong’s other flatmate looked more closely at the pen after she had showered and saw there appeared to be a camera lens.

“(The victim) googled the word (on the pen) and discovered it was a camera device,” Mr Alexandrides said.

The victim gave the pen to police who interviewed Truong.

“You acknowledged that you had filmed your flatmate while she was in the bathroom,” Mr Alexandrides said.

“You said that you were caught in the moment.”

Truong said he downloaded the images to his laptop to watch his flatmate.

“You told the police that you did it for sexual gratification and the feeling of power by filming someone without their consent,” Mr Alexandrides said.

Derryn Truong was handed a suspended sentence for two counts of indecent filming. Picture: File

Truong, of Kilkenny, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent filming.

The court heard Truong acknowledged he made a stupid mistake and was sorry for his offending, which has caused one of his victims to feel “disgusted and embarrassed”.

Truong’s lawyer had previously asked the court to not record a conviction as it may affect his future job prospects.

“The offence was a serious invasion of privacy of two women who trusted you sufficiently to share accommodation,” Mr Alexandrides said.

“Indecent filming can be easily committed … it can also be well disguised to appear to be an innocuous object of everyday use.”

Mr Alexandrides said the serious breach of his flatmates’ trust warranted a conviction being recorded.

“It was premeditated and involved a degree of planning and deliberation,” he said.

“The offending did not stop until you were detected.”

Magistrate Alexandrides sentenced Truong to seven weeks jail.

The sentence was suspended on an 18-month good behaviour bond for $1000.