Vampire-obsessed man who drank blood and dumped animal corpses at New Forest churches detained under Mental Health Act

The crimes

Between February and August 2025, Benjamin Lewis, 48, of Totton, Southampton, stole lambs from two small farms in Hampshire and collected deer killed on roads. He slaughtered the lambs by slitting their throats, then dumped the animal remains at four churches and a mental health facility in the New Forest area. The displays often included inverted crosses, tarot cards, and other ritualistic elements. At St Theresa's Church in Totton, a deer's head with an inverted wooden cross was found in February 2025, followed by a lamb placed on a light fixture below a statue of Mary alongside another inverted cross. At Christ Church in Emery Down, Lewis left a headless deer on one date and later placed a deer's head in the pulpit on top of a cross moved from the altar. Blood staining forced the church to dispose of the cross. At St Peter's Church in Bramshaw, a dead lamb was placed on a flagpole with a tarot card, and a deer's head described as "crawling with maggots" was left on a pew. At Christ's Church in Colbury, a lamb was placed on a tree stump with an inverted stone cross. A deer's head with an inverted cross was also left on the gates of the Anchor House mental health facility in Totton, where Lewis had previously been treated.

The investigation

Hampshire police began investigating after dead animals started appearing at churches. Officers carried out surveillance on ecclesiastical sites on significant dates in the satanic calendar, which allowed them to identify a pattern in Lewis's offending.

“We were almost able to predict when he was going to be striking.”

Lewis was arrested after traces of his DNA were found on a lamb's remains. A search of his home uncovered sketches of vampires, notes about rituals, and references to blood-drinking. During an earlier court appearance, when asked to identify himself, Lewis answered "Count Dracula."

The sentencing

At Southampton Crown Court, Lewis pleaded guilty to five counts of religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, and two counts of theft of lambs. Judge William Mousley KC sentenced him to an indefinite hospital order with restrictions, stating that the offences taken together would otherwise have justified substantial prison sentences. Lewis appeared via video link from hospital. He will be detained for treatment unless and until either a mental health tribunal or the justice secretary considers it safe for him to be released.

“These offences taken together would otherwise have justified substantial sentences of imprisonment.”

After his sentence, Lewis apologised to his victims and said he bore no grudge towards the police who had caught him.

Impact on the community

Parishioners were deeply affected by the discoveries. PC Jessica Surman said some people were so upset and frightened that they could no longer attend church. One woman was too scared to visit the church where her son was buried. Canon Simon Treloar of St Theresa's Church initially attempted to make light of the first incident by telling the media he would have "preferred sausages", sausages were later left at the church along with the animal bodies. He later told police he believed the perpetrator had targeted the church during the Easter period and felt "targeted and disturbed." Children who saw a dead lamb at the church were described by the prosecutor as "very distressed as a result." Farmers whose livestock was stolen also expressed anger.

Previous offending

Lewis's conviction is not his first encounter with the law. In 2003, he was imprisoned for terrorising a priest and his family near his home by claiming to be a vampire. He and another man made abusive and frightening phone calls, set off fireworks, and posted obscene images on the church noticeboard. Lewis believed that drinking blood would prolong his life and prevent him from dying or going to hell.

“And if he drinks it enough he won't go to hell, he won't die and he will become a vampire.”