A 48-year-old man who identified as a vampire and engaged in a campaign of religiously aggravated harassment against Christian churches has been detained under the Mental Health Act. Benjamin Lewis, who also called himself 'Count Dracular,' pleaded guilty to five counts of religiously aggravated harassment and two counts of theft.
Lewis carried out multiple incidents across the New Forest between February and August 2025, leaving animal carcasses, including deer heads and slaughtered lambs, along with inverted crosses at various churches. These acts caused distress and fear among churchgoers, making them hesitant to attend services. In one instance, a dead deer's head was placed on a church gate, and in another, a lamb was left on a light fixture with an inverted cross.
Investigators noted that the animal remains were often left on significant dates in the Satanic calendar. The police eventually apprehended Lewis using CCTV footage and forensic evidence, including his DNA found on a lamb. A search of his home revealed items such as sketches of vampires, satanic symbols, upside-down crosses, and writings expressing a fascination with vampires and a belief that drinking blood would grant immortality.
At a hearing at Southampton Crown Court, prosecutors detailed the impact of Lewis's actions, stating that churches, meant to be places of sanctuary, were rendered frightening. Lewis had a long-standing fascination with vampires, reportedly dating back to when he was 13 and left a dead frog on a church cross. In 2003, he was previously jailed for harassing a vicar. Medical evaluations presented in court suggested Lewis has autism, mixed personality disorder, OCD, and a possible mild learning disorder, characterized by "fantastical thinking patterns." A psychiatrist noted a risk of escalation from harming animals to harming humans.
During sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC acknowledged the severity of the offenses, stating they would typically warrant a substantial prison sentence, further compounded by Lewis's past behavior. The hospital order requires Lewis to receive treatment until a further review by a mental health tribunal or the Secretary of State. Following the sentencing, Lewis apologized to the victims and expressed no grudges toward the police. Chief Inspector Scott Johnson of Hampshire Constabulary stated that the sentence reflects the complex investigation and aims to provide closure for victims while facilitating the offender's rehabilitation and ensuring community safety.