Man admits dumping dead animals outside churches

A man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after animal carcasses were left in locations around the New Forest in Hampshire.

Dead deer and lambs were discovered near churches in Colbury, Bramshaw, Totton and Emery Down between February and April.

Benjamin Lewis, 47, admitted stealing lambs from two different people in April and pleaded guilty to five other charges of religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

He is due to be sentenced on 4 February.

The animals were dumped near Christ's Church in Colbury, St Peter's Church in Bramshaw, St Theresa's Church in Totton, and Christ Church in Emery Down.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Lewis, of Kinross Road, Totton, was remanded in custody until his sentencing at the same court.