EXCLUSIVE
A disgraced crocodile expert who filmed himself raping, torturing and violently murdering dozens of pet dogs was visited a number of times in prison by his ex-wife's parents, before they understood the extent of his depravity.
Adam Britton, 53, was jailed for ten years in the Northern Territory Supreme Court in August after pleading guilty to 63 charges of bestiality, animal cruelty, and possessing child abuse material.
He sourced 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 their beloved pets were alive and thriving.
Recently, Britton's scientist ex-wife, Erin – who did not know about his offending – broke her silence in 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 jail after his 2022 arrest, and still occasionally visit the McMinns Lagoon property their daughter shared with Britton.
They received threats from the local community for appearing to support Britton, but that criticism was misplaced.
It is understood the jail visits were an attempt to try and wrap their heads around his crimes, but they stopped seeing him once they learnt the magnitude of his horrific abuse against animals.
It is further understood Barbara and Leslie periodically visit the house, on Erin's behalf, for maintenance purposes because it is up for sale.
Adam Britton is pictured (right) at his McMinns Lagoon property with Erin's parents, Barbara and Leslie
Adam Britton's ex-wife Erin broke her silence in an episode of 60 Minutes (pictured) about a week ago
Erin's father is pictured inside Darwin Correctional Centre during one of the visits
Britton's old house has 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, following his arrest in 2022. Ursa has since died.
The dogs were both raped by Britton throughout their lives and forced to perform acts of incest.
Erin didn't mention her parents, or any members of her family, in her interview on Sunday.
She stopped reading his letters months ago because he failed to take responsibility for his actions, and asked her to send him a book about the domestication of dogs.
‘I cannot comprehend still how somebody can be so depraved, so evil and how…He’s just destroyed my entire life,' she said.
‘I still feel sick knowing that somebody was capable of things like that. That’s not something I’ll ever be able to get over. I just can’t.'
Erin spent long periods away from home on work trips and had no idea what Britton was doing.
Adam Britton was sentenced to 10 years and five months in jail with a non-parole period of six years, backdated to his April 2022 arrest
Britton also repeatedly raped his Swiss Shepherds, Ursa and Bolt (pictured). They now live with Erin's parents
The bulk of his offending happened while she was away, but she told the program she has been looking at the last few years, trying to work out if she missed any clues.
‘The question I've been asking myself every day is, “Why did I not know? What did I miss?”,' she said.
‘We were living in separate rooms at that time. We still had a very close bond, partnership or friendship.
‘But there had been a number of years since we were romantically together.'
She said Britton was increasingly withdrawn and spent a lot of time on his computer.
Sentencing remarks by NT Chief Justice Michael Grant outlined Britton's lifelong struggle with the socio-sexual disorder, paraphelia and zoosadism.
He was never attracted to humans and struggled to have proper relationships with women throughout his life.
Erin said she wants to advocate against cruelty to animals.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Erin's family for comment.
