Ex-Brewers Collective Bendigo boss Randall Firli pleads guilty to stalking, filming female neighbour

A filthy Bendigo peeping Tom pleasured himself and made lewd comments while secretly filming a naked woman in her own home.

Former Bendigo brewery boss Randall Firli pleaded guilty to stalking and filming his naked next door neighbour. Instagram.

A former Bendigo brewery boss who made creepy comments and masturbated while secretly filming his female neighbour has avoided a jail stint.

Randall Firli, 47, was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to 24-month community correction order after pleading guilty to stalking.

Firli, formerly of Maiden Gully, was a Brewers Collective co-director when he conducted his covert and sickening conduct.

Firli set up multiple Samsung phone cameras to secretly film the victim between June and December 2021.

The court heard there were “numerous vantage points” from the home Firli had shared with his now ex-wife and children.

Firli also constructed a raised garden bed to “allow himself to view over the fence” and into his victim’s home.

Firli filmed the victim while she showered, used the toilet, lay on the couch and walked naked around her house and bedroom.

Firli also filmed his victim during “intimate activities” in the supposed privacy of her own home.

The peeping tom also filmed his sordid movies at night “under the cover of darkness”.

The victim and her fiance, who were not aware of the stalking, installed shutter blinds for more privacy.

However, Firli leaned further over the fence with a selfie stick to continue producing grubby movies.

Bendigo dad Firli made personal porn after filming his next door neighbour.

Firli also “frequently masturbated” while shooting and often whispered foul commentary like “oh my god, oh my god, those t--s”.

The court heard Firli’s “whispers” were “clearly audible” on the videos.

Firli’s ex-wife found the vile videos on his phone and reported the grub to police in January 2022.

Firli told his ex-wife the videos were “off the internet” but he eventually admitted what he had done and she left him immediately.

The victim, who was still not aware of the offending, eventually moved from Maiden Gully in August 2022.

Police seized mobile devices and a laptop after raiding Firli’s home in November 2022.

Investigators discovered 63 videos which ranged in length from several seconds to seven minutes which Firli filmed over 31 days.

Firli told police he “thought at the time it was probably not the right thing to do” but the victim always “kept the window open and she obviously didn’t mind people looking in”.

“It was a bit of excitement really,” Firli said.

“I wasn’t causing any harm at the time … it was a thrill I suppose … she leaves her blinds open and is happy to walk around the house with no clothes on so I thought that’s how she rolled …

“Looking in or spying was not that bad I guess …”

Firli also told police he would record the videos and watch them later.

“All people have those urges …,” he said.

“I suppose being able to see something you’re potentially not supposed to, that’s a thrill …

“Doing something naughty … but not hurting anyone … If I knew I was hurting someone I would’ve stopped … I didn’t want to hurt anyone.

“I just thought, it’s OK … she enjoyed it back … one thing I find exciting is the female body and there it was next door, wow, it’s naughty … (I was) aroused.

“Potentially (the victim knew I was watching) … especially when the (the victim used a) dildo, they got no blinds at the time, there was a gap in the fence so people could see straight in there and she was just there right in front of the window … I just didn’t care …”

The victim, in a statement read to the court, said Firli left her feeling “completely violated”.

“It was incredibly upsetting that Randall was stalking and photographing me and yet to my face he was acting like a normal neighbour …,” she said.

“It is also incredibly distressing to know there are very private photos of me that exist and have been viewed by others.

“I have been assured that these will stay secure however I am forever fearful that these photos will become public …

“I must deal with the result of Randall’s actions for the rest of my life …”

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Firli’s former wife also tearfully read her victim impact statement to the court.

“My losses are immense …,” she said.

“I’ve lost my family unit and beautiful family home … It has been extraordinarily difficult not to take what (Firli) did personally … it still hurts deeply …

“I blamed myself for what you did … I have to keep reminding myself daily that none of this was my fault …

“As a result (of reporting Firli to police) I’ve gone from victim to villain, I am somehow to blame …

“I now know why so many crimes, particularly those against women, go unreported, seeing perpetrators be held to account is often not worth the torment and backlash one will receive …

“I hope you never violate and use another woman like you violated and used me … I did not deserve what happened to me … for the sake of our boys please be a better man …”

The court heard Firli’s Brewers Collective partners immediately severed ties with the former director and expelled him from the business after learning of his offending.

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The prosecution said “two families have been completely destroyed”.

Firli was convicted and ordered to undertake 250 hours of unpaid community work.

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