Man Admits to Dumping Animal Carcasses Near Churches in Hampshire
Published 15 December 2025
Highlights
- Benjamin Lewis, 47, admitted to seven charges, including religiously aggravated harassment, after dumping animal carcasses near churches in Hampshire.
- The incidents occurred between February and April, involving dead deer and lambs left at churches in the New Forest area.
- Lewis is set to be sentenced on 4 February at Southampton Crown Court, where he is currently remanded in custody.
- The events have caused distress and concern within the community, prompting increased police patrols and investigations.
- Historical incidents of similar nature have been reported in the area, with some locals attributing them to satanic activities.
-
Rewritten Article
Man Admits to Dumping Animal Carcasses Near Churches in Hampshire
In a disturbing case that has unsettled the Hampshire community, Benjamin Lewis, 47, has pleaded guilty to a series of charges related to the dumping of animal carcasses outside churches in the New Forest area. The incidents, which took place between February and April, involved the placement of dead deer and lambs near religious sites, including Christ's Church in Colbury and St Theresa's Church in Totton.
Lewis, a resident of Totton, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Crown Court, where he admitted to seven offences. These include five counts of religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, and two counts of theft of lambs. The court heard that Lewis's actions were intended to provoke hostility towards Christians or those he perceived as such.
The unsettling nature of these acts has prompted a strong response from local authorities. Chief Inspector Scott Johnson of the New Forest district emphasized the distress caused to those who discovered the carcasses and the broader concern within the community. "These disturbing incidents have been upsetting for those who discovered them and will be concerning for our wider community," he stated.
The police have increased both uniformed and plainclothes patrols in response to the incidents, urging residents to engage with officers if they have any information or concerns. The case has also drawn attention to historical incidents in the area, with some locals attributing similar past events to satanic activities.
Lewis is currently remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on 4 February. The court proceedings have not revealed any details of Lewis's motivations beyond the intent to cause distress, but the impact on the community has been significant.
-
Scenario Analysis
As Benjamin Lewis awaits sentencing, the case highlights ongoing concerns about religiously motivated harassment and community safety in Hampshire. The legal outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly those involving religious sites. The increased police presence and community engagement efforts may help alleviate public anxiety, but the historical context of similar incidents suggests that underlying tensions may persist. Experts may look to this case to better understand the motivations behind such acts and to develop strategies for preventing future occurrences.
In a disturbing case that has unsettled the Hampshire community, Benjamin Lewis, 47, has pleaded guilty to a series of charges related to the dumping of animal carcasses outside churches in the New Forest area. The incidents, which took place between February and April, involved the placement of dead deer and lambs near religious sites, including Christ's Church in Colbury and St Theresa's Church in Totton.
Lewis, a resident of Totton, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Crown Court, where he admitted to seven offences. These include five counts of religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, and two counts of theft of lambs. The court heard that Lewis's actions were intended to provoke hostility towards Christians or those he perceived as such.
The unsettling nature of these acts has prompted a strong response from local authorities. Chief Inspector Scott Johnson of the New Forest district emphasized the distress caused to those who discovered the carcasses and the broader concern within the community. "These disturbing incidents have been upsetting for those who discovered them and will be concerning for our wider community," he stated.
The police have increased both uniformed and plainclothes patrols in response to the incidents, urging residents to engage with officers if they have any information or concerns. The case has also drawn attention to historical incidents in the area, with some locals attributing similar past events to satanic activities.
Lewis is currently remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on 4 February. The court proceedings have not revealed any details of Lewis's motivations beyond the intent to cause distress, but the impact on the community has been significant.
What this might mean
As Benjamin Lewis awaits sentencing, the case highlights ongoing concerns about religiously motivated harassment and community safety in Hampshire. The legal outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly those involving religious sites. The increased police presence and community engagement efforts may help alleviate public anxiety, but the historical context of similar incidents suggests that underlying tensions may persist. Experts may look to this case to better understand the motivations behind such acts and to develop strategies for preventing future occurrences.
