A 48-year-old man who believes himself to be a vampire has been detained under a hospital order after mounting a campaign of intimidation against churchgoers in the New Forest, Hampshire. Benjamin Lewis stole and killed farm animals, leaving their rotting remains, including deer heads and slaughtered lambs, on pulpits and pews alongside inverted crosses, in what was described as a targeted campaign against Christians. The case highlights the disturbing lengths to which Lewis went to intimidate worshippers, with some too frightened to attend services.

Lewis, who referred to himself as "Count Dracular" at an earlier court hearing, was said to be fascinated by vampires and drank the blood of the animals he killed, believing it would grant him eternal life. He carried out the attacks on 13 separate occasions last year, with one notable incident occurring at Easter. He has now been made subject to a hospital order following the case.