A third man has admitted to his role in lighting a series of fires across central Victoria during the last bushfire season.
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Andrew Valli, 31 pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to 15 charges stemming from multiple fires he and two co-offenders, Justin Hagley and Scott Hagley, lit over the course of more than four months.
Brothers Justin Hagley, 38, and Scott Hagley, 36, entered guilty pleas to numerous charges last month.
The fires began in November last year and continued through to March.
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They occurred at numerous locations, including Goornong, Burnewang, Colbinabbin, Toolleen, Girgarre East, Axedale, Corop, Runnymede, Rochester, Golden Square and Eaglehawk, among others.
One of the fires spread and destroyed hay, fencing and shed worth more than $64,000 at Avonmore.
The court previously heard phone and carrier data linked the three men to the fires.
Police bugged the vehicle the trio travelled in, the court was previously told, and heard the three men talking about the fires.
"We're not here to talk about ice cream, we're here to light fires," Valli was heard to say.
Magistrate Patrick Southey said there was sufficient evidence for the matter to be heard in the County Court next February.
Valli applied for his release on bail until that time.
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But Detective Senior Constable Andrew Heazlewood from the Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit said he feared Valli would continue to light fires, especially going into the 2020-21 bushfire season.
Detective Senior Constable Heazlewood said Valli's propensity to light fires lasted for months and grew more serious, with one spreading out of control and the incidents moving into residential areas.
But under cross-examination from defence lawyer Markorius Habib, the detective told the court Valli had no prior offences for arson or lighting bushfires, and all such crimes were committed in the company of his co-offenders (who remained in custody).
Mr Habib told the court Valli had spent 222 days in custody, all during the pandemic, and had been doing work and programs while in prison.
"He knows that one single false step is putting him back immediately," Mr Habib said.
Valli had an intellectual disability, he said, and a newborn child he was yet to meet.
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Mr Habib submitted it was "a bit of a long bow to draw" to suggest Valli posed a risk of lighting more fires.
Mr Southey agreed, but noted Valli had been "an enthusiastic participant" and had a lengthy and serious history of other criminal offences, including breaches of court orders.
"He's just got no regard for the law," he said.
Mr Southey determined Valli had not shown the compelling reasons necessary to secure bail and posed an unacceptable risk of further offending.
"I think it's highly likely that if I bailed you today, you'd offend between now and the second of February," he said.
Valli was remanded in custody to appear in the county Court next February.
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