30 East Drive: The Black Monk of Pontefract

A council house in West Yorkshire became the site of one of Europe’s most violent poltergeist cases—and the activity has never stopped.

The Pritchard Family (1966-1969)

The haunting began when Joe and Jean Pritchard and their children, Philip and Diane, experienced:

Initial Activity

• White powder fell from the ceiling
• Pools of water appeared on the floor
• A green foam oozed from taps
• Heavy furniture moved on its own
• Lights swung violently

Escalation

• Eggs levitated and smashed against walls
• Plants were torn from the ground and thrown
• The refrigerator rocked back and forth
• Diane was dragged up the stairs by invisible hands
• The family dog was attacked

The Entity Manifests

The spirit appeared as a tall figure in a black monk’s habit:

• Over six feet tall
• Face hidden in shadow
• Gliding rather than walking
• Accompanied by extreme cold

Diane’s Ordeal

The entity focused on teenage Diane:

• Her hair was pulled and cut by invisible hands
• She was dragged upstairs by her throat
• Scratches appeared on her body
• Handprints formed on her skin
• She was thrown across rooms

Historical Connection

A Cluniac monk was hanged on the land in the 16th century for the rape and murder of a young girl. The entity is believed to be this monk.

Modern Investigations

The house is now available for overnight investigations:

• Objects still move on camera
• Inverted crosses painted by unseen hands
• Visitors are pushed and scratched
• Electronics fail or malfunction
• A dark figure is photographed regularly

The entity remains active and hostile.

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30 East Drive offers overnight stays for paranormal investigators.