Northern Territory, September 27: Renowned British zoologist Adam Britton, known for his work with crocodiles and appearances on BBC and National Geographic productions, has shockingly pleaded guilty to a disturbing array of charges. In an Australian court, Britton admitted to 56 charges of bestiality, including the sexual abuse, torture, and killing of over 40 dogs, as well as four charges related to accessing and distributing child abuse material. According to multiple reports, in a hearing at the Northern Territory Supreme Court, prosecutors presented the harrowing case against him.

The details were so graphic that the judge, Chief Justice Michael Grant, warned those present that hearing the facts could potentially cause "nervous shock" as they could only be described as grotesque cruelty. He excused security officers and junior court officials from the courtroom. Prosecutors revealed that Britton had developed a "sadistic sexual interest" in animals, particularly dogs, since at least 2014. He abused not only his own pets, Ursa and Bolt, for years but also manipulated other dog owners into giving him their animals. Bestiality Case: UK Man Caught Having Sex With Horse, Court Bans Him From Going Near Hoofed Animals.

Using the online marketplace platform Gumtree Australia, Britton would establish a rapport with pet owners, falsely reassuring them that their pets would be well cared for. In reality, he subjected these dogs to horrific abuse, such as sexually exploiting them in a shipping container on his property, equipped with recording equipment that he referred to as a "torture room." Of the 42 dogs subjected to abuse in the 18 months leading up to his arrest in April 2022, a staggering 39 died as a result of his actions. UK Bestiality Horror: ‘Drunk’ Man Performs Sex Act on Baby Seagull While Watching Animal Porn, Ends Up in Jail.

He filmed these horrific acts of abuse, often uploading the footage to online platforms under pseudonyms. Shockingly, Britton had discussions with like-minded individuals on these platforms, boasting about his "kill count." In one of his messages, along with the video, he wrote,  "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." Britton, who was originally from West Yorkshire, UK, had moved to Australia over 20 years ago to pursue his interest in saltwater crocodiles and build his career as a zoologist.

Despite his shocking criminal activities, he had maintained a respected academic position at Charles Darwin University and had even hosted Sir David Attenborough during the filming of a docuseries on his property. After being arrested in April 2022 following the discovery of one of his videos by the Northern Territory Animal Welfare Branch, Britton has been in custody. He will face sentencing in December for these disturbing crimes, which will mark a critical moment in a case that has exposed the dark side of a once-respected figure in the field of wildlife expertise.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2023 11:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).