For 10 years, there have been reports of things going bump in the night.
And a care worker was so scared that she drew a cross in felt tip on the wall in a private staff bedroom. But she now faces a disciplinary hearing - for allegedly damaging property.
It is understood that two members of staff have reported experiencing paranormal activities and town hall bosses have now asked council workers to record unusual happenings at the house.
The frightened woman worker had neatly drawn a crucifix at the property where two adults with learning disabilities live and are cared for.
It is claimed that staff had been left petrified by banging noises, flashes of light, items moving and being poked at while they lay in bed.
But the worker was sent home by bosses from Manchester city council's social services department and initially accused of gross misconduct, wilful damage to property and displaying a religious image.
Reinstated
She was reinstated the next day and all of the charges except the damage to property were dropped - but she has been told there will be a disciplinary hearing. The hearing has been postponed as the woman is off work with stress.
The property in Blackley is staffed by five people and one has to sleep over every night.
The council do allow staff to have religious images with them - such as a crucifix - while on duty sleeping over.
A source said: "For the last ten years, there have been reports of paranormal activity at the house - banging, noises, light flashing around rooms, things moving and even reports of staff being touched.
"A member of staff took a crucifix and put it on a wall in the staff bedroom. Staff felt safer and the activity subsided for a while, but then someone moved the crucifix.
"Then there was a disturbing incident, with. heavy banging in the kitchen and no one there.
"Soon after, a member of staff came on duty and was worried about the incident and having to stay overnight. She drew the cross and ended up being suspended. She did it in all innocence to protect herself.
"The cross was in a private bedroom to which no one has access except staff. Everyone is in total disbelief that she could be treated in this way."
The cross was drawn where the crucifix had been and council investigators took photographs of it as evidence.
The case is being treated as one of vandalism, as the house is owned by the adults who live there and need 24-hour care.
A council spokesman said: "The council does not believe in paranormal activity and we are dealing with this purely as a case of damage to property."
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No doubt the council investigators are either from the politically correct brigade o or of the muslim faith. Something sticks if they have to investigate or even disipline over a trivial matter like this.
Oh my God,you petty people, you sad, pathetic, people.
Why not spend the night there yourself, councils, one word, LOSERS.
First things first = if someone chooses to bring with them a cross to make themselves feel better then so BE IT!
No one has the right to choose for you so don't even contemplate the thought.
If anything goes you have evidence of paranormal events happening so investigate, I know I would.
All this over money how typical. The love of money is the root of all evil, and how many people say this = loads.
MCC are an equal ops employer and as such all individual are to respect each others religions and beliefs.
What about people from other religions who may find a cross inappropriate?
Can I come round and draw or write graffetti on your spare bedroom wall?
I don't think so, this would be very disrespectful to you wouldn't it? After all it is your home whether you use that room or not, who will pay for the damage?
The council are monitoring now obviously to gather evidence was this previously recorded before the care worker disrespected the people she supported and the other members of the team she worked with????????????
I think this is someone who has obviously made a big mistake and is now covering their tracks. If it was my son or daughters home (who have LD and were paying for this carers service I would want answers and an apology from the care worke.
I don;t understand why the charges were dropped and now the individuals she supported will have to put up with even more discriminatory behaviour due to their home being brought into the news.
The care worker should be ashamed, very ashamed and whoever took this story to the paper obviously enjoys a bit of Horror.
Word has spread to beyond the grave into the paranormal world that evil spirits will not face much or little opposition if they do their haunting in the UK in 2007,this is due to many councils and places of work banning the crucifix which has always been a traditional way in of wading off evil spirits, vampires etc,this explains the increase of hauntings and poltergeist activity since Labour came to power.
On one hand it was obviously very wrong for the care worker to deface someone elses property, but on the other hand, it seems the council have gone over the top on this one - why not simply insist that the care worker redecorates the room as punishment? Would cost the taxpayer an awful lot less.
I happen to know the person involved in this case. She is a very tolerant, experienced member of staff, with over 20 years experience of working with people with learning disabilities. Her character is unblemished,
As for being a "vandal" - I consider this absolutely absurd!!
The cross was drawn with upmost care ans consideration.
If the "authorities" are accusing her of "vandalism" then it begs the question - why have the police not been involved?
She is being discriminated against for having the temerity to display a christian image.
The care in question is also very respectful and tolerant of other faiths and cultures.
I myself can vouch for this - being a black muslim worker!
I give her my support and respect.
Who ya gonna Call?Ghost Busters!
Yet more idiocy from Manchester City Council.
And how pathetic of the spokesman to say: "the Council does not believe in the paranormal". Does the Council hold a set of beliefs? Has the Council has a collective vote on such matters and recorded which of its' councilors do or don't believe in the paranormal? I think not.
Perhaps these poltergeists, ghosts and ghouls could migrate to some of the Council offices at the Town Hall and put the wind up Lees, Bernstein and Co, as they most certainly need waking up.
Are social services so shortstaffed that they are now having to employ loonies who actually believe in ghosts,ghoulies and the supernatural.They would be better off leaving the people with learning difficulties to fend for themselves.
P.S.Why a cross? I've found that garlic works much better
ooooo things that go bump in the night!
"accused of displaying a religious image. "
Shocking. At Christmas too!
I have a son who has a disability. Myself and my family would be dismaid to find that one of his paid care staff had gone into his home and vandalised it.
"Yes vandalised it" I can't believe that another care workder who she works with doesn't see this, I'm outraged by her comments!
How dare this woman draw anything on anyones walls, would she like this done in her home?, who does she think she is?
She has obviously n regard for the people she is paid to support.
I think her colleague made a good point about contacting the police, I hope the council do bring them in as this damage to someones home and she should face legal action.
Thankfully the care staff supporting my son are very kind, considerate and respectful to him and his home, and I thank them for that!
The article said the council allowed her to bring in religious symbols in the work place so why didn't she bring her own cross in and keep it with her if she was so scared?
No this is a case of clear damage to someone elses home like my son who can not speak up for himself and needs others to do this for him.
It reassures me to know the council are taking action towards this uncaring woman.
Could it be that this could of been dealt with 'off the record' as a miscommunication'. Instead the 'cross' was involved, heaven forbid someone might have been 'Offended' call in the executioner. PS I would love to see where in writing it says 'Manchester Council' does not believe in paranormal activities!