30 East Drive house in Wakefield is still haunted, claims author

Andy Evans (holding an electromagnetic meter on left) took a photo of an apparition inside the house

A house in Wakefield that was once the location of Europe’s ‘most violent haunting’ is still haunted, according to an author who will share his experiences in his upcoming book.

Wakefield-born Andy Evans has been visiting the house for over five months and has captured images, videos and sounds of what he believes is unexplained paranormal activity, which was thought to have ceased.

According to the traditional story surrounding the house, a poltergeist known as the “Black Monk of Pontefract”, terrorised the Pritchard family during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The monk was a black-robed figure nicknamed Fred, whose appearances became more and more frequent.

Its presence was first felt when powder fell from mid-air to the floor, and progressed into movement of objects and full-bodied manifestations.

But Andy believes there is no “Monk” as thought. Nor do historical documents show any connections with monks in the area.

A photo of a mysterious figure Andy took with a camera

Rather, the ‘haunter’ is the spirit of a man named Michael who was hung for the crimes committed by his brother who had killed around eight children.

Andy has communicated with Michael, who has replied back to his questions, sometimes in an abusive way.

He is one of the many spirits believed to be present in the house today, as well as a child and one demonic entity that remains unknown.

Andy, who began as a sceptic, visited the house with a friend when by chance, a lady who had the keys invited them in. According to Andy, activity began on the first day.

He said: “We heard footsteps upstairs, and when we returned downstairs, the kitchen chairs had moved and the Bible had also moved around three feet on the workplace.”

Andy has since frequently visited the house with others and has taken meters to pick up electromagnetic frequencies, electromagnetic pumps, night vision cameras, motion detectors and temperature readers.

He refuses to use a ouija board however, an item commonly used to communicate with spirits.

He said: “We know that someone did use a ouija board inside the house. But we show respect and when we go into the house we don’t swear. You have to be careful, you don’t know what you’re messing with.”

Andy claims to have captured evidence of the supernatural inside the house with recordings, videos and images of apparitions. He has also felt the presence of forces that he cannot describe.

He said: “The worst thing that has happened to me was when something triggered the motion detectors upstairs, and when I began walking up, I saw a mass blacker than anything I’ve ever seen on the top of the stairs. It was as if it was coming over to me and my pit instinct was to get into a fetal position.

“The house is never quiet and there’s definitely a lead player in there. Whatever it is, it is wanting to communicate.”

The front cover of Don’t Look Back In Anger: The Black Monk of Pontefract

Andy will be publishing his book ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger: The Black Monk of Pontefract’ soon.

It will recount his experiences inside the house, as well as the history of the house including illustrations and photographs.

He said: “It will be an in-depth study into the property. I want to make sure I can get an accurate record wherever possible, and I’m going to make sure it is backed up by historical facts.

“It will also focus on the area. I think that if people were honest in the locality, they’d admit to paranormal activity as it’s the whole ground. The property might well be the centre of whatever is happening.”

More photographs were taken by our photographer/reporter. They will be available to view and buy here.