The South Shields Poltergeist

In 2006, a young couple and their infant son in South Shields, England, became the focus of intense poltergeist activity. The case, investigated by paranormal researchers Mike Hallowell and Darren Ritson, featured violence and phenomena rare even by poltergeist standards.

The Family

The family, identified by pseudonyms for privacy, began experiencing disturbances shortly after moving into their home. What started as typical phenomena, objects moving and strange sounds, quickly escalated into something more threatening.

The Phenomena

Toys belonging to the couple’s young son would stack themselves in impossible arrangements. Water taps turned themselves on. Chairs moved across rooms while the family watched. Most disturbing were the threatening messages that appeared on the child’s magnetic drawing board, warning the family to leave.

Violence

The poltergeist became physically aggressive. The family members were scratched and struck by invisible forces. Objects were thrown with force. On one occasion, a box cutter was left on the sleeping infant’s pillow as if as a warning.

Investigation

Investigators documented the phenomena over several months, capturing photographs of stacked objects and recording electronic voice phenomena. The case was extensively documented in their book about the haunting.

Resolution

The activity eventually subsided after the family sought spiritual intervention. They chose to remain in the home, and the poltergeist did not return.

Assessment

The South Shields case is notable for its violence and the apparent threat to a child. It represents the darker end of poltergeist phenomena and raised questions about the safety of families experiencing such events.