Warning To ‘Haunted Home’ Carer

A COUNCIL care worker who drew a crucifix on the wall of a home she feared was haunted has been disciplined.

The woman, who cared for two adults with learning disabilities at the house in Blackley, drew a neat cross to replace a crucifix that had hung in the same place.

The carer – who worked for Manchester council for 20 years – made the felt-tip drawing after two of five staff working at the home reported paranormal activity including organ music and objects moving.

Initially accused of gross misconduct, the woman has been given a written warning for wilful damage of a council home.

One member of staff sleeps over at the house every night. Although staff are allowed to take religious symbols into the house, bosses last year told the M.E.N. they did not believe there was paranormal activity there.

A spokesman said the council treated the case purely from a property damage point of view.

But it also asked staff to record any ghostly goings-on. A source told how one spooked carer hung the crucifix on the wall – adding that for a few months paranormal activity quietened down.

But when one carer converted to Islam the cross disappeared, only for more people to report spooky experiences.

The source said: “The drawing remained on the wall for a couple of weeks without question, until someone reported it.

“Since the coverage of the worker’s suspension more people have come forward with their experiences while working at the same property.”

And it emerged that 15 years ago a Catholic priest was called in to rid the home of ghosts.

But our source said: “At the disciplinary hearing the council officer conducting it tried to put the activity down to gas or electrical problems.

“At least eight people have experienced such activity, not all can be imagining it.”

The woman is now considering an appeal. Another source said: “She has received a very harsh penalty indeed and she drew the cross in all innocence to protect herself.”

A spokesman for Manchester council confirmed a member of staff got a warning for misconduct following a disciplinary hearing.