Wednesday, August 5, 2026 - A self-described “vampire” who displayed dead animals outside churches in Hampshire has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act after admitting multiple offences linked to a months-long campaign that alarmed local communities.
Benjamin Lewis, 48, admitted five counts of religiously
aggravated intentional harassment and two counts of theft after killing deer
and stealing lambs, which he arranged in disturbing displays at four churches
between February and August last year. The displays included deer heads with
inverted crosses, a lamb placed beneath a statue of Mary and a tarot card left
on a dead deer’s head at Easter.
Police investigator PC Jessica Surman described the case as
“the most bizarre” she had handled, saying Lewis believed he was a
“reincarnated vampire.” “He believes drinking blood will prolong his life and
if he drinks it enough he won’t go to hell, he won’t die and he will become a
vampire,” Surman said.
She added: “From my knowledge, it was his belief that he
would get energy from drinking the blood of animals and there’s lots of Satanic
symbols around it.” Surman also revealed that officers staked out churches on
full moon nights as part of the investigation before Lewis was eventually
arrested.
The court heard that Lewis’ actions left residents in the
New Forest fearing for themselves and their animals. During his first arrest,
police found animal blood in his vehicle. A later search of his home uncovered
sketches of vampires, dead sheep, satanic symbols, upside-down crosses, tarot
cards and images of people drinking blood. Prosecutor Laura Deuxberry said the
incidents caused significant distress to church communities.
“It’s meant to be a place of sanctuary, but unfortunately
these incidents caused them to be fearful of going to their sanctuaries,” she
said. She also told the court that staff at Anchor House mental health facility
feared Lewis might return after a deer’s head and an inverted cross were left
at the entrance.
Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Gauruv Malhan testified
that Lewis has autism, mixed personality disorder, obsessive compulsive
disorder, a possible mild learning disorder and “fantastical thinking
patterns.” “There is a risk of escalation from harming animals to harming
humans as well,” Malhan warned. Sentencing Lewis, Judge William Mousley KC
said: “You killed, maimed and disfigured animals and displayed parts of their
bodies.
He added: “What is clear is that these offences taken
together would justify a substantial period of imprisonment.” Instead, Lewis
was made subject to an indefinite hospital order for treatment under the Mental
Health Act.
Following sentencing, Lewis apologised in court. “I would
just like to apologise to the victims because they said they worried about me.
I don’t want people to worry about me.” He also told police: “I want to say to
the police that I don’t have any grudges towards you either.”
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