Adam Britton guilty of bestiality, animal abuse and possessing child exploitation material charges
A renowned zoologist has pleaded guilty to dozens of sickening charges including animal cruelty, bestiality and possession of child exploitation material.
Darwin crocodile expert Adam Robert Corden Britton, 52, was unmasked as the serial animal abuser in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on Monday.
His name had previously been suppressed from the public due to the depravity of his crimes, which threatened his right to a fair trial, the NT News reported.
Britton pleaded guilty to 60 charges, including the torture, rape, and killing of at least 39 dogs.
The court heard he referred to the animals as “f–k toys”, raped puppies and operated a nightmarish “torture room” on his property in McMinns Lagoon, half an hour outside Darwin.
Chief Justice Michael Grant excused Sheriff’s officers and permitted security guards to wait outside the courtroom, sparing them from hearing the full details of the heinous crimes.
“The facts contain material describing acts that can only be described as grotesque perversity and cruelty, which are both confronting and distressing and which, in my assessment, have the potential to cause nervous shock,” Justice Grant said.
Britton held a Ph.D. in zoology and held the position of Senior Research Associate at Charles Darwin University.
He was also co-chief of a successful crocodilian research and consulting business, Big Gecko, where he kept saltwater crocodiles as pets on his property.
The NT News reported Crown prosecutor Marty Aust revealed in court that Britton had a sadistic sexual interest in animals, particularly dogs, dating back to at least 2014 when he began engaging in sexual activities with his Swiss-Sheppard dogs, Ursa and Bolt.
Between Nov. 17, 2020, and April 22, 2022, Britton obtained 42 dogs of various breeds and ages, most of which he tortured and sexually exploited for his sadistic pleasure, ultimately killing them.
Aust told the court Britton scoured Gumtree for dogs and puppies listed for sale in the Darwin area, building rapport with unsuspecting owners, many of whom had to give up their pets due to travel or work commitments.
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In one chilling instance, Britton met with the owners of a large brown dog named “Wolfe” to ensure the dog would be well cared for, the court heard.
Prosecutors told the court he even sent them a picture of Wolfe appearing relaxed and happy in his new home, all while concealing that the dog had already suffered unspeakable cruelty at his hands.
Additionally, the court heard that Britton used Telegram’s encrypted messaging service to share videos of his despicable acts through accounts named “Monster” and “Cerberus.”
He engaged in discussions with other users about bestiality, animal abuse, the acquisition of dogs, and methods for disposing of their bodies.
A search of Britton’s laptop uncovered 15 files of child abuse material he had sourced online, including content involving toddlers being subjected to horrifying acts.
Britton pleaded guilty to 37 counts of animal cruelty causing serious harm or death, 10 counts of raping or attempting to rape dogs, four counts of possessing or transmitting child abuse material, animal cruelty, breaching duty of care to his own dogs Bolt and Ursa, and using a carriage service in an offensive manner, the NT News reports.
He has been remanded in custody and will return to court for sentencing later.
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