A man from Southampton has pleaded guilty to a campaign of harassment against Christians, which involved leaving the carcasses of dead animals outside churches in the picturesque New Forest.
Guilty Plea to Religiously Aggravated Offences
Benjamin Lewis, 47, of Totton, admitted to seven offences at Southampton Crown Court on Monday. The charges relate to a series of incidents that took place between 5 February and 30 April this year. Lewis pleaded guilty to five counts of religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress and two counts of theft of lambs.
The court heard that Lewis intended to "cause hostility" towards Christians or those he perceived to be Christians. The defendant was remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced in February.
Disturbing Incidents Across Hampshire Churches
The offences occurred at several church locations in and around the New Forest in Hampshire. The affected sites included:
- Christ Church in Colbury
- St Peter's Church in Bramshaw
- St Theresa's Church in Totton
- Christ Church in Emery Down
While full details were not disclosed in court, it was previously reported that in April, a dead lamb was found hung outside St Theresa's church in Totton. Another carcass was discovered on a nearby road sign that same evening. Hampshire Police also confirmed a dead lamb was found at St Peter's church on 14 April.
Community Concern and Police Response
The incidents caused significant distress and widespread concern within the local community. In May, police emphasised the impact on those who discovered the animals. New Forest district commander, Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, stated: "These disturbing incidents have been upsetting for those who discovered them, and will be concerning for our wider community."
Police conducted both uniformed and plainclothes patrols and encouraged the public to share any information. The offences relate solely to 2024, and there is no suggestion Lewis was involved in earlier similar crimes.
Historical Context of Similar Acts
However, the area has seen similar unsettling events over several years. Some locals have previously speculated about satanist involvement. Last year, a rotting deer's head with an inverted cross was found on a memorial stone in the New Forest. The object was removed by a former police officer, Chris White, from Burley village, who noted the historical links of the area to witchcraft.
White referenced Sybil Leek, a resident in the 1950s known as "Britain's most famous witch". He expressed concern about the impact on children, stating: "People are quite appalled because children were walking by, because it was a rotting head after all."
