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It looks like a blurred light or a badly taken photograph. But according to ghosthunter Leonard Low, this image taken in the basement of a London hospital is proof that it is haunted.
The 44-year-old builder was visiting his former partner who was having surgery at the Whittington Hospital in Highgate when nurses told him about a "strange presence" in the 19th-century arches.
Armed with a camera, Mr Low asked to be escorted into the basement to investigate. There he claims to have seen a "flashing trail of light".
He said: "We began walking down this long corridor with files all around us. We walked for five or six paces when we saw something down the corridor moving.
"There was something hovering in front of us, getting closer and closer. We saw this trail of light flashing all over the place. Then I saw the ghostly image of a young boy."
Mr Low, who owns a "haunted" medieval building in Scotland, added: "When I went down there I got a feel that there was something there. The hospital used to be a leper colony in the 15th century."
Although he took the pictures five years ago, he has only now released them after making new findings while researching his book, The True Story of the Pittenweem Tower Poltergeist, which features the Whittington ghost.
With the help of analysis from mediums, he believes that the pictures depict a 10-year-old boy called William suffering from leprosy. He said: "I would love to go back. I'm fairly convinced it's a ghost, the place is haunted. The stories I've heard were from nurses who have been there for 40 years."
He also told of the "extraordinary pain" he experiences in the presence of a ghost, adding: "I get pins and needles in the back of my head and I find it hard to see. It is as if my skin knows there is something there."
A spokeswoman for the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust said: "There have been ghost stories about sightings and feelings over the years. There is no evidence but the tale continues."
Reader views (8)
The image of the boy is taken from a painting around the 17th century, possibly early 18th, probably italian, possibly dutch or french.
I have enough photoshop experience to actually know how the photoshop brushes work and what it looks like when you use the blur and smudge brushes.
- Jason King, London, 19/02/2012 15:15
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I was a former nurse at whittington hospital and on many. Occassions had to retrieve a record and have heard what sounded like a childs footsteps and being too far away from any publix accessibility it could not have been a visitor and any other member of staff would be attending for the same reason as myself . I have had several conversations with staff whom have had the same experience as i or actually haveing seen a child all of whom have been intrigued or mainly. Scared out of their whits myself included .
- denise, lapondon, 25/01/2012 14:54
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Leonard - I find all paranormal things fascinating, and have an open mind towards that field. Good luck with the book, and with finding Whittington's spirits in the future. People like Hutch and Paul seem to have closed minds, and probably wear a lot of beige.
- Jolly Roger, The Maiden's Bounty, 25/01/2012 12:03
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Plug my book? Id love to....but they even got the name wrong! Ive sat on this for 5 years, till I had enough info to make a book....get it from authorhouse.co.uk for £16 not amazon at £25....then you can spend the £9 saved on lottery tickets....best of luck!
- leonard.., london, 25/01/2012 06:51
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Leonard Low, the only haunting going on here is you "plugging" your own book!
We only have your word - how do we know you did not photo shop the image?
I suppose you want us to buy your (2011) book to judge for ourselves ... would rather buy £25.00 worth of lottery tickets.
How about a double comeback at me?
- Hutch, London UK, 25/01/2012 04:54
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Forget mediums,I should of gone to Paul! He seems to know the difference between ghosts and non ghosts!
This is one of a sequence of 5 photos, the standard now has a photo of a photo of a photo, because they nicked it from another paper.
They were taken 5 years back, yes in Archway hospital, two of us saw this entity, one being a senior staff member, I took the photos.
I have met and tested over 60 mediums in my time,I have a test(totally foolproof) and to be honest I hate mediums! fakers chancers the majority of them.
But this three, this amazing three,over 5 years have been presented with the photo...all gave the same information......a hospice..leprosy, Richard 3rd..boy called William.
The photograph was taken in an old hospital area,dealing with leprosy, built in Richard the 3rds rule....all called the boy William.
Paul Ive met people like you all my life, try opening your mouth then your toast wont have a face in it.
yours........lenny
- leonard.., london, 24/01/2012 20:35
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Fair play to Paul for knowing its not a ghost, maybe I should consult him instead of a medium?
The medium who was shown this picture, was in Scotland,she had no information apart from the picture, she identified a child called William, leprosy,Richard 3rd, a place of care and nuns.........It was a leper hospital.....in the reign of Richard 3rd......run by Nuns!
A second medium, two years later gave the same info.
Now Ive done experiments with at least 60 mediums...frightening to say 57 of them were useless,(i have a very interesting test i do ) the other 3 were amazing..truly amazing..these people do exist, but there are many fakers.
Paul if your toast has a face in it....aim for the mouth next time.
- leonard.., london, 24/01/2012 20:12
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Well no it isn't a ghost and it would be a shame if the ES starts to encourage fantasists such as this ghost hunter to displace factual news stories. I had to laugh at the rigour you must get by "analysis from mediums", perhaps they could tell me if my toast has a face in it too.
- Paul, London, 24/01/2012 17:34
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