The case of Adam Britton
17.07.26
There are moments in the world of true crime that leave even the most experienced investigator in a state of shock.
Over time, exposure to the darkest aspects of human behaviour builds a kind of psychological armour. Cases that once stayed with you for weeks become easier to compartmentalise. But every so often, one breaks straight through that defence.
The hardest cases are always those where the most vulnerable are the victims, and the most powerful are the perpetrators.
One such case is that of Adam Britton.
A respected zoologist, crocodile expert, and British citizen working in Australia’s Northern Territory, Britton built an international reputation through scientific work and wildlife documentaries. Behind that public image, however, investigators uncovered years of extreme cruelty committed in private.
Police discovered evidence of prolonged sexual abuse of animals alongside illegal child sexual abuse material stored on his electronic devices. Britton pleaded guilty to multiple offences and, in 2024, was sentenced to more than ten years in prison, alongside a lifetime ban on owning mammals. The sentencing judge described the material as among the most disturbing ever presented to the court.
I recently took part in a true crime podcast discussing this case. It is one of the most disturbing investigations I have ever examined, and listeners should be aware of the severity of the subject matter.
But cases like this also reinforce something those working in policing and criminal justice see repeatedly: animal abuse rarely exists in isolation.
Our research
In 2021, our research found that nearly three-quarters (73%) of online sexual abuse investigations also involved the sexual abuse of animals. Whilst this wasn’t the case every time, the link is too strong to ignore. Those findings helped us support changes in the Crime and Policing Act 2026, with section 114 recognising the seriousness of these connected offenses.
Looking back at cases I have been involved with, it is clear that the link between violence against animals and violence against people isn’t confined to one place. It’s something we see globally.
In April 2015, I presented to European police commanders in Athens, focusing on the intersection between animal abuse, transnational wildlife crime, organised criminality, and wider threats to public safety. That work contributed to the training of more than 2,500 police officers across Greece to identify and investigate animal abuse as part of mainstream policing practice. It reflected a growing recognition across law enforcement: animal abuse is not a niche issue; it is a policing issue.
That shift in perspective is critical when considering wildlife crime more broadly.
Wildlife crime isn’t ‘just’ about wildlife
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recognises wildlife crime as a form of organised crime. The same criminal networks involved in offences such as fraud, corruption and drug trafficking are often involved in the illegal wildlife trade, which generates billions of dollars every year.
It’s important to distinguish between regulated trophy hunting and wildlife crime – they are not the same. However, criminals can exploit legal systems designed to protect wildlife through forged permits, falsified paperwork and corrupt officials to make illegally sourced wildlife products appear legitimate.
This means that wildlife crime is far more than an environmental issue. It often goes hand in hand with other serious crimes.
Why this matters for trophy hunting
This wider context is essential to understanding why trophy hunting remains such a controversial issue.
People who want to restrict or ban trophy hunting usually point to three main concerns: animal welfare, conservation and how well the industry is regulated.
From an animal welfare perspective, we know much more about animal sentience. Animals such as elephants, lions and primates can feel pain, experience stress, from close social bonds and show complex emotions. For many people, this makes killing them for sport or trophies difficult to justify.
There are also concerns about how trophy hunting is managed. In some countries, strict rules and oversight are in place, but in others, weak regulation can leave the system open to corruption, fraud and abuse. The issue is often less about regulated hunting itself, and more about whether the rules are properly enforced.
Violence is often connected
These links are recognised around the world.
In 2019, while working with the Namibian Ministry of Justice on animal welfare legislation, this connection between animal welfare and wider violence was explicitly acknowledged. The Ministry stated:
“Some may ask, why waste time on animal welfare when there are people being abused, tortured and neglected? Globally, there is increased understanding that there is a link between animal and human violence.”
The Justice Minister went on to explain that strengthening animal welfare protections also helps to protect women and children, reflecting a growing recognition of overlapping patterns of violence.
This is echoed in UK enforcement data. Wildlife and Countryside Link has reported that approximately 27% of wildlife crime offenders are also linked to domestic abuse. While this does not mean one causes the other, it reinforces what many investigators already know: violence often overlaps.
The warning signs
Whether in cases of online child exploitation, domestic abuse, organised wildlife trafficking, or extreme cases such as Adam Britton’s, the pattern is often the same. Individuals willing to inflict severe suffering on animals may, in some cases, present wider risks. Animal cruelty is often part of a much bigger picture.
Recognising this is not about prioritising animals over people. It is about recognising that violence is often interconnected, and that different forms of abuse can sit within the same offending pathways.
The link between animal abuse and serious crime is no longer theoretical. It is increasingly supported by evidence and recognised across policing, policy, and international enforcement agencies.
The challenge now is ensuring that recognition translates into prevention, intervention, and effective enforcement.
