The SOUTH SHIELDS POLTERGEIST dominated the lives of everyone it touched. As well as
the experients and principle witnesses who lived on the property, many others came to feel
its malign influence in their lives. Below are some of the “main players” in the dark drama that was
to unfold on an otherwise quiet suburban housing estate on Tyneside.
the experients and principle witnesses who lived on the property, many others came to feel
its malign influence in their lives. Below are some of the “main players” in the dark drama that was
to unfold on an otherwise quiet suburban housing estate on Tyneside.
NAME: DARREN W. RITSON
AGE: Born 1972
ROLE: LEAD INVESTIGATOR
DETAILS: AUTHOR, PARANORMAL RESEARCHER
AGE: Born 1972
ROLE: LEAD INVESTIGATOR
DETAILS: AUTHOR, PARANORMAL RESEARCHER
Darren was the first investigator to be contacted by a relative of one of the experients,
who desperately wanted help. He subsequently asked fellow researcher and friend
Mike Hallowell to join him in the investigation.
Darren has a partner, Jayne, and a young daughter called Abbey.
Darren has written two other books about the paranormal; Ghost Hunter and In Search
of Ghosts, and contributes to a number of specialist magazines including Paranormal.
Darren makes up half of “WraithScape” - the paranormal research partnership he
runs along with Mike. Darren is also a member of the Society for Psychical Research.
who desperately wanted help. He subsequently asked fellow researcher and friend
Mike Hallowell to join him in the investigation.
Darren has a partner, Jayne, and a young daughter called Abbey.
Darren has written two other books about the paranormal; Ghost Hunter and In Search
of Ghosts, and contributes to a number of specialist magazines including Paranormal.
Darren makes up half of “WraithScape” -
Mike is a freelance columnist and author, whose published works include Herbal
Healing, Ales & Spirits and Invizikids. He runs the UK’s oldest provincial newspaper
column - WraithScape - dealing with paranormal phenomena.
Mike has starred in a number of TV documentaries about the paranormal and
has lectured widely on the subject. Along with Darren, Mike runs WraithScape - a
“paranormal research partnership” - and specialises in researching the really scary
stories that many other investigators refuse to touch.
Healing, Ales & Spirits and Invizikids. He runs the UK’s oldest provincial newspaper
column -
has lectured widely on the subject. Along with Darren, Mike runs WraithScape -
stories that many other investigators refuse to touch.
NAME: Marianne
AGE: 20+
ROLE: Experient
AGE: 20+
ROLE: Experient
NAME: Marc
AGE: 20+
ROLE: Experient
AGE: 20+
ROLE: Experient
Marianne works in the care profession and is one of
the two principal experients in the case. She lives
in South Shields with her young son Robert and her
partner Marc.
At the request of the authors Marianne kept a
daily diary in which she recorded the bizarre
phenomena that took place within her home.
the two principal experients in the case. She lives
in South Shields with her young son Robert and her
partner Marc.
At the request of the authors Marianne kept a
daily diary in which she recorded the bizarre
phenomena that took place within her home.
Marc works in the catering profession and, alongside
his partner Marianne, is one of the two principal
experients in the case of the South Shields Poltergeist.
During the course of the investigation, Marc - whom the
authors believe was the “focus” in the case - was badly
cut by the poltergeist on his torso. This was filmed on
four separate occasions.
his partner Marianne, is one of the two principal
experients in the case of the South Shields Poltergeist.
During the course of the investigation, Marc -
four separate occasions.
NAME: Robert
AGE: 5
ROLE: Experient
AGE: 5
ROLE: Experient
Robert is the young son of Marianne and a previous
partner. Although initially spared the full attention
of the poltergeist, in the latter stages of the
investigation the entity removed him from his bed
on a number of occasions and hid him from
Marianne and Marc.
Initially the poltergeist masqueraded as an
“imaginary friend” of Robert’s, called “Sammy”.
partner. Although initially spared the full attention
of the poltergeist, in the latter stages of the
investigation the entity removed him from his bed
on a number of occasions and hid him from
Marianne and Marc.
Initially the poltergeist masqueraded as an
“imaginary friend” of Robert’s, called “Sammy”.
NAME: Daniel Jackson
AGE: 30+
ROLE: Advisor
AGE: 30+
ROLE: Advisor
Daniel Jackson is a long-time friend of Michael J
Hallowell and became embroiled in the South Shields
Poltergeist case when the entity sent messages from
his mobile phone to Mike’s without his knowledge.
Daniel Jackson has a special interest in Native
American culture and spirituality and proved
instrumental in helping Mike confront the poltergeist
during what later became known as “Grim Saturday”.
Poltergeist case when the entity sent messages from
his mobile phone to Mike’s without his knowledge.
Daniel Jackson has a special interest in Native
American culture and spirituality and proved
instrumental in helping Mike confront the poltergeist
during what later became known as “Grim Saturday”.
NAME: Guy Lyon Playfair
ROLE: Advisor
ROLE: Advisor
NAME: Bob Whittaker & Marrisse Whittaker
POSITION: Owners of Orion TV, seasoned presenters and producers.
ROLE: Media involvement.
POSITION: Owners of Orion TV, seasoned presenters and producers.
ROLE: Media involvement.
Bob and Marrisse Whittaker are two of TV’s most well-respected personalities, having presented, produced and
filmed literally dozens of programmes and documentaries over the years.
Bob formerly worked for Tyne Tees Television before moving to SKY, and then set up Orion TV with Marrisse.
Marrisse is also an accomplished make-up artist and scriptwriter.
During the later stages of the poltergeist infestation they visited the home and interviewed Marianne on camera.
During the visit the polt put in an appearance and actually spoke through some of Robert’s toys.
Later, at their home, Bob, Marrisse, Mike and his wife Jackie were subjected to disturbing poltergeist phenomena,
proving that the entity could extend its influence far beyond its “home” in South Shields.
Bob formerly worked for Tyne Tees Television before moving to SKY, and then set up Orion TV with Marrisse.
Marrisse is also an accomplished make-
During the visit the polt put in an appearance and actually spoke through some of Robert’s toys.
Later, at their home, Bob, Marrisse, Mike and his wife Jackie were subjected to disturbing poltergeist phenomena,
proving that the entity could extend its influence far beyond its “home” in South Shields.
NAME: Suzanne Hitchinson
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
“The appearance of other objects, which seemingly
materialised from nowhere, was one of the most
perplexing phenomena I have ever witnessed”.
materialised from nowhere, was one of the most
perplexing phenomena I have ever witnessed”.
NAME: Claire Smith
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
“the toys were always dropped in a place where
everyone was sitting. They were also dropped - not
thrown across a room or kicked. They actually seemed
to materialise from thin air, and I became
increasingly intrigued”.
everyone was sitting. They were also dropped -
to materialise from thin air, and I became
increasingly intrigued”.
NAME: Glenn Hall
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
“When he actually removed his T-shirt, three large
scratches appeared from nowhere on his back. This
happened right in front of my eyes, and these initial
scratches were followed by many more.
I cannot explain where the scratches came from, and
neither do I know why they disappeared from the male
occupant when he entered the circle.
I’ve only seen things like this in films, and never thought I
would ever witness such a paranormal occurrence
personally”.
happened right in front of my eyes, and these initial
scratches were followed by many more.
I cannot explain where the scratches came from, and
neither do I know why they disappeared from the male
occupant when he entered the circle.
I’ve only seen things like this in films, and never thought I
would ever witness such a paranormal occurrence
personally”.
NAME: Julie Olley
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
I don't think anyone in the room could believe what
they were witnessing; actual bodily harm by an unseen
force. I know I couldn't believe what I was
witnessing...I still can't explain what I saw”
they were witnessing; actual bodily harm by an unseen
force. I know I couldn't believe what I was
witnessing...I still can't explain what I saw”
NAME: Mark Winter
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
“Later on in the night, we were having a discussion
around the dining table when we all heard a tap on
one of the chairs and, on checking, we discovered a
small, toy policeman with its head missing and its
legs mangled. The toy appeared to have come
from nowhere.”.
“The phenomena I’ve witnessed in this case are like
nothing I have ever seen before. On my first visit I was
very suspicious about the whole situation and didn’t
know whether to believe what I was hearing. However,
after my second visit I now have no doubts that this case
is a genuine one”.
nothing I have ever seen before. On my first visit I was
very suspicious about the whole situation and didn’t
know whether to believe what I was hearing. However,
after my second visit I now have no doubts that this case
is a genuine one”.
NAME: Darren Olley
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
ROLE: NEGRT Investigator
