A self-described vampire who left dead animals on display outside churches has been detained indefinitely after admitting a series of offences. Benjamin Lewis, 48, killed deer and stole lambs, then arranged their corpses in macabre displays at four churches across Hampshire between February and August last year.
Macabre displays and satanic symbols
At one church, a deer's head was found with an inverted cross; at another, a lamb was placed on a light fixture below a statue of Mary. Lewis, who drank blood and once gave his name in court as 'Count Dracula', also left a tarot card on a dead deer's head at a church at Easter, which police described as his 'signature'.
Southampton Crown Court heard that Lewis admitted five counts of religious aggravated intentional harassment and two counts of theft. He was given an indefinite hospital order yesterday, meaning he will receive treatment until a mental health tribunal or the Secretary of State decides otherwise.
Police staked out churches on full moon nights
PC Jessica Surman, who led the investigation, described the case as 'the most bizarre' she had ever worked on. She said Lewis believes he is a 'reincarnated vampire' and revealed that officers patrolled churches on full moon nights to catch him.
PC Surman explained: '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.' She added that Lewis thinks 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'.
Community fear and impact
The spree left locals in the New Forest fearing for themselves and their animals. Laura Deuxberry, prosecuting, said people who found the dead animals were 'distressed and disturbed', and the owner of some stolen lambs had considered moving from her farm where she had lived all her life.
By targeting churches, Lewis caused upset to congregations. Ms Deuxberry said: 'It's meant to be a place of sanctuary but unfortunately these incidents caused them to be fearful of going to their sanctuaries.'
Arrests and evidence
Lewis was first arrested in May 2025, and animal blood was found in his vehicle. Tarot cards were also found in his bedroom, and when interviewed he 'appeared distracted'. He was arrested again in September 2025, and items found at his address included sketches of vampires and dead sheep, newspaper cuttings about death, satanic symbols, upside down crosses, and pictures of people sucking blood from each other.
He was treated at mental health service Anchor House in Totton, where staff found a deer's head and an inverted cross on their gate. Staff said they 'feared' making a statement as it might 'add fuel to the fire'.
Psychiatric assessment and sentencing
Dr Gauruv Malhan, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, said he believed Lewis had autism, mixed personality disorder, OCD, a possible mild learning disorder, and 'fantastical thinking patterns'. During an assessment, Lewis tried to assault him and had to be restrained. Dr Malhan highlighted Lewis's history of self-harm and suicidality, warning of a 'risk of escalation from harming animals to harming humans as well'.
Sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC said: 'You killed, maimed and disfigured animals and displayed parts of their bodies. What is clear that these offences taken together would justify a substantial period of imprisonment.' He noted Lewis's previous convictions, which showed 'worrying similar behaviour'.
After sentencing, Lewis apologised, saying: '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. I want to say to the police that I don't have any grudges towards you either.'
