A 47-year-old man has pleaded guilty to harassing Christians by leaving dead deer and lambs outside churches in the New Forest, Hampshire. Benjamin Lewis admitted seven offences, including five counts of religiously aggravated intentional harassment and two counts of theft of lambs, during a hearing at Southampton Crown Court on Monday.
The court heard that Lewis intended to “cause hostility” with Christians or those he perceived to be Christians. The incidents occurred between 5 February and 30 April at locations including Christ Church in Colbury, St Peter’s in Bramshaw, St Theresa’s in Totton, and Christ Church in Emery Down.
Details of the offences were not fully disclosed in court, but in April a dead lamb was found hung outside St Theresa’s in Totton, with another carcass discovered on a nearby road sign that evening. Hampshire police also confirmed a dead lamb was found at St Peter’s Church on 14 April.
Lewis, from Totton, Southampton, spoke only to confirm his name and address and was remanded in custody. He is due to be sentenced in February. Police said the incidents had been distressing for those who found the animals and caused widespread concern in the community.
Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, New Forest district commander, said: “These disturbing incidents have been upsetting for those who discovered them, and will be concerning for our wider community.” He added that uniformed and plainclothes patrols had been conducted to address public concerns.
While Lewis’s offences relate only to this year, similar incidents involving animal carcasses left at churches have occurred in the New Forest for several years. Some locals have blamed satanists, and a former police officer reported finding a rotting deer’s head with an upside-down cross on a memorial stone in May 2024.
