‘Pedophile’ TikTok star Rachel Queen Burton faces sentencing submissions in District Court
A TikTok influencer who amassed a large following sharing her experiences as a trans woman has faced a sentencing hearing.
A TikTok star who abused two children told her mother she’s still “the queen” and planned to become famous once released from custody, a court has heard.
Rachel Queen Burton, who victims called a pedophile, also said she would go to the media to “tell her side of the story”, the District Court heard on Monday.
Burton, who appeared in court via video link, had amassed tens of thousands of followers on social media, where she shared her experiences as a trans woman.
During the sentencing submission hearing, prosecution pointed to an affidavit which outlined how in February Burton told her mother during a prison phone call of her plans after she was released from custody “in particular what she plans to do with the media and her side of the story”.
“I’m still famous, I’m still number one. I’m still the queen and then ... my name will be loud. I’ll be famous. I’ll be known, very well known,” the report read.
Earlier, the victims denounced Burton as a “gross, phony, self-indulgent” pedophile who was “wearing a mask”, and who had stalked them into homelessness after the abuse.
On Monday, the court heard that a report found there’s insufficient evidence to suggest Burton meets the clinical threshold for a diagnosis of pedophilic disorder.
Earlier, 44-year-old earlier pleaded guilty to aggravated counts of producing and possessing child exploitation material, gross indecency and indecent assault.
Burton faces a maximum 14-year prison term which, under SA law, must be served in custody.
Prosecution said Burton’s insight into the offending was “low”.
But counsel for Burton argued that she showed she was taking responsibility for her actions by her guilty plea.
He asked the judge for leniency and to take her personal circumstances into account.
He said she struggled with her gender identity throughout her life as well as substance abuse.
Furthermore, he added that it was important to note Burton started her transition “prior to any complaint being made” and since going into custody has been assaulted, bullied and inappropriately touched in prison.
“Her incarceration is more traumatic than ... for the general prison population,” he said, adding that “there is no doubt” Burton would spend the rest of her sentence in a male prison.
Burton’s earlier complaints of being mistreated by other inmates at Mount Gambier Prison as well as a lack of attention toward her wellbeing and safety had been rejected by the Department for Correctional Services.
The matter will return to court in December.
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Originally published as ‘Pedophile’ TikTok star Rachel Queen Burton faces sentencing submissions in District Court
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