Canberra man admits 'disturbing' attack on partner equated to torture

Warning: This story contains content some readers may find distressing.

The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions has argued a Canberra man should be given a life sentence for murdering his partner due to the "torturous nature" of the attack.

Tiffany Spence, 36, was murdered by Adam James Britt, now 41, at their Reid unit in September 2022, in an attack that took place over two days.

Britt's sentencing hearing was told when paramedics found Ms Spence, her "injuries were unlike anything they'd previously encountered".

The post-mortem examination found she had fractures to her ribs and lower back, as well as bruising, cuts, and other injuries on 40 per cent of her body.

Today, Britt gave evidence at his own sentencing hearing, admitting that the attacks he carried out on Ms Spence equated to torture.

The court heard Britt had previously assaulted Ms Spence twice before in their 12-month relationship.

In the lead-up to her death, she had been away from their home for six days and changed her phone number.

Britt said he intended to "punish her" as he was angry Ms Spence had "lied" to him and "deceived" him.

When asked whether he was "in a rage", Britt answered, "I was".

Britt pleaded guilty to murder on the day his two-month trial was about to begin, in February this year, three years after his arrest.

He said he pleaded guilty as he "intended to at least cause serious harm", but denied he intended to kill Ms Spence.

The hearing heard how Britt took photos of Ms Spence at various stages during the attacks.

ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Engel SC, suggested he took the images because he "was intent on not letting her leave him".

"[You] wanted to show her how bad it would get if she left for good," Ms Engel suggested.

Britt denied he intended to use the photos as a future threat or warning.

When asked what the images did show, he replied: "Look at what did happen when I got angry".

Ms Engel argued Britt should be given a life sentence, citing the "torturous nature" of the attacks, saying the period over which they were sustained "speaks of no other intention but to kill".

Attack 'utterly unacceptable, shameful': Britt

Britt's lawyer, Philip Massey, told the hearing that while the murder was "very, very grave and disturbing", the issue was what intention his client had at the time of the attacks.

Mr Massey referenced the photos Britt took during the attack, saying his client "didn't have an intention to kill".

"There's no point taking photos if he intended to kill her,"

he said.

Earlier, Britt read out an apology to Ms Spence's family.

"What I did was utterly unacceptable, shameful and wrong … I cannot say how sorry I am," Britt said.

"In no way do I seek forgiveness for what I've done, I don't deserve it."