A sharp-eyed internet user’s quick thinking has been revealed as a key factor in the downfall of dog rapist Adam Robert Corden Britton.
The 52-year-old Northern Territory-based zoologist operated two Telegram accounts, “monster” and “Cerberus” between 2020 and 2022, where he engaged with like-minded individuals discussing animal cruelty and bestiality.
Britton sourced approximately 42 dogs from Gumtree Australia, often from owners who reluctantly gave away their pets due to work commitments, with the intention of sexually exploiting them.
Britton’s downfall began when he posted a disturbing video titled “1B***h9Pups” on an abuse website in March 2022, where an anonymous internet user noticed a City of Darwin leash on one of the dogs and reported it to authorities, Daily Mail reported.
Following the tip, NT Police and Australian Federal Police raided Britton’s home in April 2022, seizing computers, mobile phones, cameras, and various other items, including severed dog limbs in a freezer and a decomposing puppy in a pond.
On Monday Britton, 52, pleaded guilty in Darwin’s Supreme Court to a string of charges relating to animal abuse, bestiality, and for the possession of child exploitation material.
The court heard how he referred to the animals as “f*** toys”, raped puppies and operated a nightmarish “torture room” on his property in McMinns Lagoon, half an hour outside Darwin.
He also sexually abused his own Swiss Shepherd pets, Ursa and Bolt, for nearly a decade before seeking more dogs to harm on Gumtree.
Just two years ago, he was a renowned researcher at Charles Darwin University, known for his work in crocodile conservation with his wife and business partner.
Britton used Telegram accounts to share images and recordings of his animal abuse and to discuss his “kill count”.
“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 had told an anonymous Telegram user.
Britton faced 37 counts of animal cruelty, 10 counts of raping or attempting to rape a dog, and four counts of possessing or transmitting child abuse material.
Chief Justice Michael Grant described Britton‘s actions as “grotesque cruelty” that could cause severe psychological distress to those exposed to the details.
Britton‘s name was initially suppressed by the court to prevent jury bias but was lifted after he pleaded guilty.
Originally from England, Britton obtained his Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Bristol before moving to Australia in 1996 to study crocodiles.
He and his wife established a company called Big Gecko, which sold crocodile footage to television and film producers and worked with BBC and National Geographic.
Britton was known for self-promotion, frequently updating his social media profiles with photos of his crocodiles and media appearances.
His sentencing submissions are scheduled for December 13.
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