The South Shields Poltergeist

In 2006, a young family in South Shields, England, experienced a poltergeist outbreak that combined classic phenomena with distinctly modern elements. The case was investigated by paranormal researchers who documented their findings extensively, including photographs and recordings captured with contemporary technology. The South Shields case represents a 21st-century poltergeist, complete with text messages and digital evidence.

The Family

Marc and Marianne (pseudonyms) lived in their South Shields home with their three-year-old son Robert. In December 2005, they began experiencing disturbances: doors slamming, objects moving, and strange sounds.

The phenomena escalated through early 2006. Toys moved on their own. A rocking horse was found balanced on a dresser. Most disturbingly, water taps turned on by themselves, flooding rooms, and a stuffed toy rabbit was found with a box cutter stuck in its back.

The Threats

Unlike many poltergeist cases, the South Shields entity seemed actively hostile and communicative. Messages appeared written on the walls in marker, using crude language and threatening the family. When Marianne received a mobile phone text message saying “Going to die today,” the family became genuinely frightened.

The entity seemed focused on Marianne in particular. She was reportedly scratched, pinched, and had objects thrown at her. The aggression went beyond the typical poltergeist playfulness into something darker.

Investigation

Paranormal investigators Mike Hallowell and Darren Ritson documented the case extensively. They witnessed phenomena firsthand, including objects moving and strange sounds. They photographed damage and collected testimony from the family.

The investigators also captured what they considered evidence: photographs showing objects in mid-movement, recordings of unexplained sounds, and documentation of the threatening messages.

Phenomena

The South Shields case included both classic poltergeist phenomena and unusual elements:

Objects moving and being thrown, sometimes with apparent intelligence targeting specific people.

Water taps turning on repeatedly, causing flooding.

Threatening messages appearing on walls and surfaces.

Text messages received on mobile phones from unknown sources.

Physical attacks on family members, including scratches and pinches.

Toys arranged in threatening configurations.

Resolution

The family eventually moved out of the house, unable to cope with the ongoing phenomena. The disturbances reportedly followed them to temporary accommodations before eventually ceasing.

Hallowell and Ritson published a book about their investigation, “The South Shields Poltergeist,” documenting their findings and experiences.

Skeptical Analysis

Skeptics have noted problems with the case. The hostile, intelligent nature of the entity differs from typical poltergeist patterns. The text messages could have been sent by anyone. The physical evidence—photographs and recordings—does not definitively prove supernatural activity.

The investigators were believers who approached the case expecting to find paranormal phenomena, which could have influenced their interpretation of events.

Assessment

The South Shields Poltergeist represents a modern evolution of the poltergeist phenomenon. The use of text messages and the focus on digital documentation reflect the 21st century, while the core phenomena—moving objects, hostile entities, physical attacks—echo cases from centuries past.

Whether the South Shields case represents genuine paranormal activity, elaborate hoax, or psychological phenomenon with a modern twist, it demonstrates that poltergeist reports continue into the digital age, adapting to contemporary technology and communication methods.

The entity of South Shields, if it existed, found new ways to terrorize: not just throwing objects, but sending threatening texts. Even ghosts, it seems, have learned to use mobile phones.