For months, churches across southern England became the scenes of disturbing discoveries—headless deer, slaughtered lambs, occult symbols and tarot cards left in places meant for worship and prayer.
Now, according to BBC News, the man behind the string of attacks has been ordered to long-term psychiatric detention after admitting to targeting churches with gruesome displays that prosecutors described as religiously aggravated harassment.
Benjamin Lewis, 48, of Totton, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to stealing lambs on two different occasions and admitted to five counts of religiously aggravated harassment after leaving animal carcasses and occult-related items at multiple churches throughout 2025.
Southampton Crown Court heard that Lewis displayed headless deer, severed deer heads and slaughtered lambs at several churches, while also targeting an NHS mental health facility involved in his treatment. The bizarre incidents sent shockwaves through local congregations and prompted a lengthy police investigation.
Judge William Mousley KC ordered Lewis to be detained in a secure hospital under a hospital order with restrictions, saying he is likely to remain there for a “significant” period, according to the BBC.
During the proceedings, psychiatrist Dr. Gauruv Malhan testified that Lewis has autism and personality disorders and believed himself to be part of a vampire cult. The court also heard that Lewis attempted to attack the psychiatrist during an evaluation and had to be restrained.
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“There is a concern his risk will escalate from harming animals to humans as well,” Malhan told the court, according to the BBC.
The disturbing pattern began in Feb. 2025 when a headless deer was discovered at Christ Church in Emery Down. Just weeks later, another deer’s head was found placed inside the church pulpit. In March, a deer’s head was left on the gates of Anchor House, an NHS mental health facility involved in Lewis’ psychiatric care.
The attacks continued.
A dead lamb was found tied to the flagpole outside St. Peter’s Church in Bramshaw with a tarot card attached, while a decomposed deer’s head was later discovered resting on one of the church’s pews. In April, several lambs stolen from nearby farms were later found dead at Christ Church in Colbury and St. Theresa’s Church in Totton.
According to testimony presented in court, children visiting one of the churches witnessed one of the carcasses and were left deeply distressed.
The BBC reported that Hampshire Police observed that many of the attacks appeared to coincide with phases of the moon or dates listed on satanic calendars. Detectives increased patrols around churches during those periods before Lewis was arrested in May 2025 and again following one final church incident later that year.
When officers searched Lewis’s home, prosecutors said they found materials referencing death and killing, satanic symbols, vampire-related objects and a suitcase filled with laminated newspaper clippings documenting similar crimes dating back to 2003.
Beyond the physical evidence, the emotional impact on local believers was profound.
“We’ve had people who were so upset and frightened by it that they couldn’t go to church, or see loved ones who are buried in the church grounds because they’ve been scared of bumping in to him,” Hampshire Police Constable Jess Surman said, according to the BBC.
Scripture reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12), making it all the more important for Christians to remain grounded in prayer rather than fear. As communities recover from these unsettling events, believers can continue praying for healing for those affected, wisdom for leaders, protection over houses of worship and the hope of Christ to shine even in places where darkness has sought to make itself known.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
