The dramatic stories I heard cut across all my common senses and experiences, and they all backed up each other and were so convincing, yet I was sworn not to discuss it with anyone. I spent a restless night and went back next day for another walk through to take photos and record temperature anomalies, with my driver from the large posh Essex house.

I was being pushed to perform the exorcism rites, yet defensively as I took extensive notes from each room, I said I personally had no confirmation it was necessary, in fact the longer I spent there the more I was convinced it was not.

I managed to get away from them to my home, and left the phone of the hook because they were putting me under so much pressure, but last thing phoned to say I would not be going back and to contact someone else if they felt it necessary, as it just did not feel right.

In the morning I phoned the Big house in Essex and found the young man was not known to them. The reaction was similar when I phoned the Rev. Christopher Neil-Smith. Later in the morning I went to my battered little car to go to my teaching job, and discovered all my tyres (tires) deflated and messages scrawled on the car to say I had been hoaxed by a student theatre group.

The phone went several times that day, and each time I picked it up there was just the sound of a bunch of people laughing. The next week I received through the post a newspaper "The South London Gazette and Advertiser" with the humiliating headline, "student group hoaxes top exorcist". I had taken 3-days off work to help people I thought were in trouble, lost my teaching position got hate mail for weeks afterwards.

Most importantly publicity like this can set education in spirit possession, toxic house syndrome, and family integration counselling back decades. The sceptics used this all they could in the coming months against those earnest seekers and light healers who assist in God's work.

During and after any spirit clearance, counselling is offered to the possessing spirit, and those traumatised by the events, but in this case I think I needed it most! But, I learn't a valuable lesson, never be rushed against your gut feelings, and always do your homework before committing yourself - Or you could end up like me, being made to look very foolish.