A man obsessed with vampires who left dead animals at churches has been indefinitely hospitalised. Benjamin Lewis, 48, was part of a cult that met to consensually drink each other's blood.
Details of the offences
Lewis, who previously called himself 'Count Dracula', admitted to targeting churches across the New Forest by leaving dead animals outside. His home was filled with satanic items including inverted crosses, vampire books, and newspaper cuttings about dead deer.
At Southampton Crown Court, Judge William Mousley KC said Lewis's hospitalisation was "necessary" due to his "clear risk" to others and previous offences, including a 2003 imprisonment for terrorising a vicar.
Impact on the community
Prosecutor Laura Deuxberry detailed incidents between February and August, including leaving a deer's head on a gate at Anchor House in Totton, where Lewis had previously received treatment. He also targeted St Theresa's Church in Totton, St Peter's Church in Bramshaw, Christ Church in Colbury, and Christ Church in Emery Down.
At some locations, he left days-old lambs with slit throats alongside inverted crosses; at others, a maggot-ridden deer head on pews or a deer carcass. Those who discovered the carcasses were left "shocked" and "fearful" that he might "up his game". Pupils were "very distressed" after spotting a dead lamb at St Theresa's.
Victim statements
Sarah Harrison, who owned some of the lambs, said in a victim impact statement that she felt "nervous and frightened" to walk in the area after dark. She now slept with a light and television on. Myra Noyce's lambs were also taken; one was slaughtered and suspended by its legs at Ashurst smallholding. Three more lambs were seized, forcing Mr Noyce to "sit up and keep watch".
Rev David Bacon discovered a deceased lamb fastened to a flagpole at St Peter's in Bramshaw. He felt "angry", especially as a tarot card representing "opposition" was placed nearby during Easter. He said: "That was such a no-no. It was a double blow, like he was leaving his signature to say 'look what I've done'."
Canon Simon Treloar of St Theresa's said he was "sickened and saddened", calling it "an insidious way to make a point". At Christ Church in Emery Down, a deer head was found in the pulpit, described as "a sacred area cordoned off with rope".
Investigation and court proceedings
After Lewis's arrest, police matched his DNA to some carcasses and found animal blood in his vehicle. A search of his home uncovered books with satanic references and tales of blood-sucking, along with a book detailing "how best to kill humans".
Andrew Price, defending, said Lewis "is very sorry and wants it to be known he recognises he has done wrong", noting his guilty pleas. He added that Lewis "recognises the ill health he has" and had been going through "a troubling time", including bereavement, during which his mental health "took a terrible spiral".
Psychiatrist Dr Gauruv Malhan told the court Lewis suffers from mixed personality disorder, OCD, and a potential mild learning disability. He has "fantastical thinking patterns" and a "fascination with vampires since he was young", leading to his involvement in a "vampire cult". Dr Malhan expressed concern that Lewis's behaviour could "escalate to humans" and that Lewis was at risk of harm from others due to his beliefs.
Lewis spent time on remand before being committed to a secure hospital in January. Due to an "escalation" in behaviour, including an attempt to attack Dr Malhan, he was moved to a medium-risk secure hospital. Judge Mousley KC, addressing Lewis via video link, said he would remain in hospital until a mental health tribunal or the Secretary of State deemed him safe. Lewis interjected to apologise to victims, saying: "I just wanted to apologise to the victims because they said they would be concerned about me if I was to come out."
