http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1029520_care_worker_disciplined_over_cross

Care worker disciplined over cross

Exclusive Neal Keeling


GHOSTLY goings-on at a Manchester care home are being recorded by the city council after staff are said to have been petrified.

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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