Who is Adam Britton, 'zoosadist' who faces 249 years for raping, killing dozens of dogs?

Adam Britton, a renowned British crocodile expert and zoologist, is facing up to 249 years in prison for a series of horrific crimes involving the rape, torture, and killing of dogs.

His case has shocked and angered animal rights activists and the public alike, as the details of his disturbing actions have come to light.

Who is Adam Britton?

Adam Robert Corden Britton was born around 1972 in West Yorkshire, UK. He graduated from Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in 1987 and went on to earn an Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Leeds in 1992. Britton later completed his PhD in Zoology from the University of Bristol in 1996.

He moved to Australia in the same year, where he met his future wife, a wildlife ranger and biologist. Together, they set up a consultancy focusing on wild crocodiles.

Britton gained international recognition as a crocodile expert, working with renowned figures like David Attenborough and producing content for the BBC and National Geographic. He was also a research associate at Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia, and featured in the Discovery Channel/Animal Planet program “Animal Face-Off.”

When did Britton’s ‘criminal stint’ begin?

Britton’s descent into criminal behaviour began around 2014, culminating in a series of heinous acts between 2020 and 2022.

Using the website Gumtree Australia, he deceptively acquired 42 dogs from unsuspecting families, often claiming to rehome them. In reality, these animals were subjected to unspeakable acts of sexual abuse and torture.

Britton filmed himself raping, torturing, and killing at least 39 dogs in a shipping container on his property, which he referred to as his “torture room.” His actions were not limited to these animals; Britton also abused his two white Swiss Shepherds, Ursa and Bolt.

The footage of these horrific acts was shared on Telegram under the pseudonyms ‘Monster’ and ‘Cerberus,’ where he openly discussed his kill count and shared videos with other abusers. In one message, he confessed, “I had repressed it. In the last few years I let it out again and now I can’t stop. I don’t want to.”

How was Britton finally caught?

Britton’s criminal activities came to light when an online sleuth identified him and tipped off the police, reported UK’s Mirror. A subsequent raid on his home in Darwin resulted in the seizure of 44 devices and tools, revealing files of child abuse material.

He was charged with 60 offences, including eight counts of bestiality, four counts of possessing and transmitting child abuse material, and 37 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

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Britton’s representatives claimed he had been affected by “paraphilia,” a condition involving intense sexual fantasies about atypical objects, places, or situations.

During court proceedings, Britton could be seen wiping away tears, and the case has been adjourned multiple times, pending a psychiatric report. The sentencing is set to continue on August 8, 2024.

How have court proceedings fared?

The details of Britton’s crimes have been described as “confronting and distressing” by Chief Justice Grant, who excused security staff and police officers from the courtroom, fearing “adverse psychological reactions.”

Britton’s lawyer argued that his early guilty plea and cooperation with police warranted a reduced sentence, citing nearly 30 hours of psychological treatment he had received in prison, reported ABC Australia.

The prosecution, however, emphasised the calculated and sadistic nature of Britton’s actions, arguing for the maximum prescribed penalty. “If we watch that footage, you will see the extreme pleasure and enjoyment that this man had in creating this and doing these acts,” ABC Australia quoted Crown Prosecutor Marty Aust.

Outside the courtroom, animal rights activists held signs demanding the death penalty and “justice for the innocent victims of Adam Britton.”

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Australian politician and former MLA Ross Bohlin condemned the repeated delays in sentencing as an “abuse of the judicial process,” telling media, “It would be good to think today brought an end to this psychopathic level of abuse. Unfortunately, the adjournment will only continue the pain.”

Adam Britton’s case has left a lasting impact on the public and the animal rights community.

With inputs from agencies