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.”