Bendigo poker fiend Brooklyn Youl pleads guilty to sexually penetrating child under 16

A Bendigo poker fiend who snuck in and assaulted a 13-year-old girl in her bedroom told police he believed “age is just a number”.

Brooklyn Youl pleaded guilty to sexually penetrating a child under 16. Facebook.

A Bendigo poker grub who sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl boasted to police that he took his victim’s virginity.

Brooklyn Youl, 20, was sentenced in the County Court on Thursday to a three-year community correction order after pleading guilty to 10 rolled-up sexual penetration of a child under 16 charges.

Youl, who also pleaded guilty to possess child abuse material, assaulted his victim after meeting the then 13-year-old girl on Snapchat in late-2021.

The Bendigo fiend sexually penetrated his victim multiple times between February and June last year.

Youl violated the child at her family bungalow multiple times while not wearing a condom, the court was told.

Youl’s deviant behaviour unravelled after the victim’s mother discovered him in bed with her daughter.

The court heard the mother began “screaming” before police were notified.

The victim told police she had been in a “sexual relationship” with Youl, he was aware of her age and “things happened in her …”.

Youl, who was hauled away for questioning, told police he took the victim’s “virginity”.

Youl also claimed he “had sex (with the victim) approximately 20 times”.

“No more than 25 times but a minimum 15,” Youl said.

Youl also told police he “believes age is just a number but the younger you are the more mature you need to be”.

Youl also admitted waiting for the lights at the victim’s house to go out before “sneaking into her bedroom”.

The court heard Youl, of Bendigo, worked in hospitality at local venues after leaving Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

Youl, an avid poker player, was heavily involved in online gaming, the court was told.

Youl, who has aspirations of becoming an apprentice chef, lost employment after his charges were exposed.

Judge Amanda Chambers said there was a “power imbalance in the relationship”.

“The fact your conduct placed the young victim at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease is a significant aggravated feature of your offending,” Judge Chambers said.

Youl, who has no priors, was convicted and made a registered sex offender for life.

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