A man has been charged after a series of disturbing incidents involving animal carcasses left outside churches and other sites in the New Forest.
Benjamin Lewis, 47, of Kinross Road, Totton, faces multiple charges following an investigation into animal deaths and criminal damage in the area.
Police have charged Lewis with four counts of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, four counts of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress, two counts of theft, two counts of criminal damage, and one count of racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence.
The charges relate to five separate incidents which took place between Wednesday 5 February and Tuesday 29 April this year. During this period, dead deer and lambs were discovered at various locations across Bramshaw, Totton and Emery Down, some of which were found outside churches.
Lewis was remanded in custody and appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday 11 September).
Officers say their investigation is ongoing and have urged anyone with further information to come forward.
