'Vampires' jailed for harassing vicar

Lewis (r) had an "unshakeable belief" that he was a vampire.

Two self-styled vampires have been jailed for conducting a campaign of religious harassment against a vicar and his family.

Scott Bower and Benjamin Lewis were found guilty of waging the three-month campaign against the Reverend Christopher Rowberry, his wife Karen and children Hannah, 15, and Simon, 17.

Judge John Boggis QC sentenced Lewis, 25, of Kinross Road, Totton, Hampshire, to 12 months in jail and Bower, 26, of School Road, Eling, Totton, to six months.

The pair were joined in the campaign by Lewis' 19-year-old girlfriend, Natalie Gibson.

Gibson, also of Kinross Road, who is six months pregnant with Lewis' child, was given a three-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.

Mr Lewis allegedly left an obscene picture of Christ on the notice board

Judge Boggis told Lewis at Southampton Crown Court: "This is a case of repeated victimisation of a man who showed you tolerance and understanding, the effect of which was to drive a wedge of fear into his family.

"The distress of his wife was clear for all to see.

"I hope you are truly ashamed of what you did but it is clear from the pre-sentence reports that you are not."

The court heard that Lewis had an "unshakeable belief" that he was a vampire and was undergoing psychiatric treatment.

He was described as the ring leader of the harassment, responsible for making obscene telephone calls which included "howling noises", screeching sounds and mechanical laughing.

He also placed "truly disgusting" images on the noticeboards of St Mary The Virgin Church in Eling Hill, Totton.