Zoologist Adam Britton faces 249 years in prison for raping over 60 dogs

According to the Mirror, Britton, who is accused of rape, torture and the death of dozens of dogs, faces 249 years in prison in Australia. Last year he pleaded guilty to over 60 counts of animal cruelty.

On Thursday, Northern Territory Supreme Court Justice Michael Grant ordered staff and animal rights activists to leave the courtroom before the hearing began. According to ABC, the judge said the material could cause severe psychological distress and described the violations as “grotesque animal cruelty.”

While people awaited the final verdict, Britton’s attorney submitted a new report describing Britton’s mental state after nearly 30 hours of psychological treatment in prison. The attorney argued that remorse and insight into one’s actions often come with treatment, not immediately.

The lawyer asked for a reduced sentence, saying: “This is a person who has suffered from an illness since early childhood. It is not his fault. This illness is extremely taboo in most societies, which makes it very difficult to deal with in adulthood.”

According to an ABC report, the case involves Britton torturing and beating dogs to death in Darwin, Australia, and recording the acts. He is said to have set up a “torture room” in a shipping container in which he sexually abused the dogs.

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