EXCLUSIVE
A disgraced crocodile expert who filmed himself raping, torturing and violently killing dozens of dogs was visited several times in prison by his ex-wife’s parents before they understood the extent of his depravity.
Adam Britton, 53, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the Northern Territory Supreme Court in August after pleading guilty to 63 charges of bestiality, animal cruelty and possession of child abuse material.
He removed more than 42 dogs from Gumtree Australia over a two-year period for the sole purpose of torturing them to death on camera, but told the previous owners that their beloved pets were alive and thriving.
Recently, Britton’s scientist ex-wife Erin – who knew nothing about his transgression – broke her silence on an episode of Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes, calling him a “psychopath” who ruined her life.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal her parents, Barbara and Leslie, visited him in prison following his arrest in 2022, and still occasionally visit the McMinns Lagoon estate their daughter shared with Britton.
They received threats from the local community for appearing to support Britton, but the criticism was misplaced.
It’s clear the prison visits were an attempt to wrap their heads around his crimes, but they stopped seeing him once they learned the extent of his horrific abuse of animals.
It is further understood that Barbara and Leslie periodically visit the house on Erin’s behalf for maintenance purposes as it is for sale.
Adam Britton is pictured (right) at his McMinns Lagoon estate with Erin’s parents, Barbara and Leslie
Adam Britton’s ex-wife Erin broke her silence about a week ago on an episode of 60 Minutes (pictured)
Erin’s father is pictured at Darwin Correctional Center during one of the visits
Britton’s old house has been on the market for months, priced at $750,000.
Britton’s former in-laws also took possession of his two Swiss Shepherds, Ursa and her pup, and Bolt, after his arrest in 2022. Ursa has now passed away.
The dogs were both raped and forced to commit incest by Britton their entire lives.
Erin did not mention her parents or members of her family in her interview on Sunday.
She stopped reading his letters months ago because he didn’t take responsibility for his actions, and asked her to send him a book about the domestication of dogs.
“I still can’t understand how someone could be so depraved and evil and how… He ruined my entire life,” she said.
‘I still feel sick knowing that someone was capable of things like that. That’s not something I’ll ever be able to get over. I just can’t do it.’
Erin was away from home for long periods of time on work trips and had no idea what Britton was doing.
Adam Britton was sentenced to ten years and five months in prison with a non-parole period of six years, backdated to his arrest in April 2022
Britton also repeatedly raped his Swiss Shepherds, Ursa and Bolt (pictured). They now live with Erin’s parents
Most of his transgressions occurred while she was away, but she mentioned the program she had been watching over the years, trying to figure out if she had missed any clues.
“The question I ask myself every day is, ‘Why didn’t I know? What did I miss?'” she said.
‘We lived in separate rooms then. We still had a very close bond, partnership or friendship.
“But it had been several years since we had a romantic relationship.”
She said Britton became increasingly withdrawn and spent a lot of time on his computer.
Sentencing comments set out by NT Chief Justice Michael Grant Britton’s lifelong struggle against socio-sexual disorder, paraphelia and zoosadism.
He was never attracted to people and struggled to have good relationships with women all his life.
Erin said she wants to advocate against cruelty to animals.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Erin’s family for comment.