Sydney, July 14: Adam Britton, a crocodile expert, is facing a 249-year jail sentence in Australia after being charged with the rape, torture, and killing of over 40 dogs. He also filmed and posted videos of the act. The British zoologist, born in West Yorkshire in 1971, broke down in court before the announcement of his punishment. Britton, who has been labelled the ‘world's worst animal abuser’, was facing 60 charges related to animal sexual abuse in a "torture room" inside a shipping container.

According to The Sun, Britton pursued higher education in zoology at the University of Leeds and completed his PhD at the University of Bristol. At the time of the charges, he was a senior researcher at Charles Darwin University. In addition to the animal cruelty charges, Britton is accused of possessing and transmitting child abuse material and 37 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Bestiality Horror in Australia: BBC Contributor and British Wildlife Expert Adam Britton Admits Torturing, Raping and Killing 39 Dogs.

Adam Britton Suffering from ‘Paraphilia’

During the hearing, Britton's legal team argued that he was affected by "paraphilia" during the two-year period of his criminal activities.

What is Paraphilia?

Paraphilia, as defined by WebMD, is an abnormal sexual behaviour characterised by recurring intense sexual fantasies and urges, often involving unusual objects or situations. Behaviours associated with paraphilia can cause significant distress and have serious social and legal consequences. UK Shocker: Teenager Dubbed 'Brixton R Kelly' Manipulates and Rapes Six Young Girls in London, Likely To Face Jail.

Britton's emotional reaction in court, where he sniffled and burst into tears upon the mention of paraphilia, led to the adjournment of the case. A further psychiatric report is pending, with the case set to resume on August 8. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of Britton's actions and the distressing nature of the charges.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 14, 2024 07:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).