New Forest Church Animal Dumpings: Court Detains Man Under Mental Health Act

Benjamin Lewis, 48, of Totton, Southampton, was convicted of five counts of religiously aggravated harassment and two counts of theft of lambs for incidents between February and August 2025. He stole lambs from Hampshire farms, slit their throats, and left the carcasses at four New Forest churches and a nearby mental-health facility. He also placed deer heads on church pulpits and gates, often with inverted crosses or tarot cards. Lewis appeared by videolink at Southampton Crown Court and was ordered to be detained in a hospital under the Mental Health Act, pending a tribunal decision.

The Independent

Lewis has a documented history of religious-harassment offences, including a 2003 conviction for terrorising a vicar while claiming to be a vampire. Psychiatric evaluations noted severe autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mixed personality disorder and a mild learning disability. Police investigations began after a pattern of animal corpses appearing on church grounds was identified.

The Guardian

• Counts convicted: 5 religiously aggravated harassment, 2 theft of lambs.

The Independent

• Targeted locations: St Theresa’s Church (Totton), Christ’s Church (Emery Down), St Peter’s Church (Bramshaw), Christ’s Church (Colbury), and the Anchor House mental-health facility.

The Independent

• Animals used: 3 deer heads (one decapitated), 4 lamb carcasses, additional deer bodies.

The Independent

• Psychiatric diagnoses: severe autism, OCD, mixed personality disorder, mild learning disability.

The Independent

• Prior conviction: 2003 religious harassment case.

The Guardian

Prosecutor Laura Deuxberry highlighted the impact on children who witnessed the lambs and noted the timing around Easter. PC Jessica Surman called the case “the most unusual” she had worked on and said police used surveillance and calendar monitoring to anticipate incidents. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Gauruv Malhan testified that Lewis exhibited “fantastical thinking patterns” and “limited insight,” warning of risk to animals and humans.

The Guardian

Victims expressed profound anxiety. Farmer Myra Noyce called the theft “a terrible thing to do.” Farmer Sarah Harrison said the incidents made her feel “upset… uncomfortable” and feared for her safety at night. A church warden reported being “on edge” and described the acts as an attempt to “cause fear and unrest.”

The Guardian

• “These offences taken together would otherwise have justified substantial sentences of imprisonment.” — Laura Deuxberry

The Independent

• “We have had people who were so upset and frightened by it, they couldn’t go to church,” — Jessica Surman, Hampshire police

The Guardian

• “It’s a terrible thing to do,” — Myra Noyce

The Guardian

• “Photograph: Peter Flude/The Guardian “It’s upset us all, made us feel very uncomfortable.” — Sarah Harrison

The Guardian

Lewis will remain in a secure hospital until a mental-health tribunal or the Justice Secretary determines that release is safe. The tribunal’s decision is expected later this year.

The Guardian