Man, 47, arrested over ‘sadistic & disturbing’ animal killings after fears of ‘Satanic cult’ on the loose
A MAN has been arrested after a series of "disturbing" animal killings where the carcasses were scattered around a national park.
Hampshire Police said they have been investigating the animal deaths in the tranquil New Forest since November.
There were 12 incidents where the carcasses of lambs and deer were left around the Forest.
They were left in "close proximity" to churches in Totton, Bramshaw, and Lyndhurst.
A 47-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of two counts of criminal damage and ten counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage. He remains in police custody at this time.
The most recent report was of a dead lamb left at St Theresa’s Church, Beaumont Road in Totton on the morning of Monday 28 April.
The New Forest is a hotspot for "satanic" rituals and killings.
While it is usually a quiet corner of England, residents and local churches have been plagued by "cults" for years.
In 2022, a twisted maniac went about sacrificing pets and slaughtering livestock.
The barbaric activity, which residents likened to creepy comedy Hot Fuzz, has seen a black cat with a gouged-out eye strung up on a flag pole at the local church.
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And only weeks earlier a dead fox was left draped over the steps of the same holy place in the New Forest, Hampshire.
Reverend David Bacon, of targeted St Peter’s Church in Bramshaw, previously said the attacks were “nasty, sinister, and upsetting”.
He added: “It's a week before Christmas, we're just hoping and praying we don't get anything else.”
‘666’, the number of the Devil, and a Pentagram were also graffitied on the historic building during the un-Godly attack.
The pentagram is a five-sided star used in Pagan religions but an inverse version is known as the Sigil of Baphomet, Satanism’s motif - they also use an inverse crucifix.
The spate of killings and chilling iconography sparked suspicion among some that a Satanic cult operate in the area.
New Forest District Commander Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, said: “These disturbing incidents have been upsetting for those who discovered them, and will be concerning for our wider community.
"Our investigation team have been working hard to review all the available evidence and this has enabled us to make an arrest today as part of our enquiries.
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"We have been conducting both uniformed and plain clothes patrols and enquiries, and this will continue in the coming days, particularly in areas where incidents have occurred.
“If you see our officers while on their travels, please come over and speak to them. They’ll be on hand for you to share any information, raise any concerns and ask questions."
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