A WOMAN who took home an old, unwanted, £20 portrait from the charity shop flogged it for £1,600 after discovering a creepy feature.
Zoe Elliott-Brown, from Hastings, East Sussex, believed she was picking up a nice piece of artwork to decorate her family home.
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But, shortly after hanging it on her wall, the terrified 36-year-old started noticing strange phenomena happening within the house.
The carer, who purchased the painting from Hastings Advice Representation Centre, claims the “cursed” portrait welcomed an evil energy.
Zoe’s mum Jayne even believes she was put under some sort of trance, often feeling compelled to stroke painting’s cheek.
She also reported hearing knocking at night, meanwhile Zoe and her partner Ben started seeing a creepy dark shadowy figure.
Even the family dog couldn’t stand the picture, and wouldn’t settle in the house.
And, they are convinced the infamous piece of artwork is so powerful it tried to burn their house down.
Zoe said: “My mum’s internet router started smoking and blew up – it’s quite new as well. There was a very nasty hot smell.
“We unplugged it and the router and wiring were too hot to touch.
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“That just really freaked me out. If we hadn’t been there like if that had happened a day or so later the whole place would’ve probably burnt down.
“It was just so lucky we were there. There’s just this really strong smell of burning plastic now.
“Mum absolutely hates it [the painting] and wants it out the house. She’s gone completely off it.”
Despite its “curse”, there were buyers willing to take the painting off their hands.
Zoe managed to sell the picture for a whopping £1,600 after a tense bidding war – and never looked back.
It was snapped up by The London Bridge Experience – but now staff at the popular tourist attraction say they have witnessed peculiar goings on.
Manager James Kislingbury’s car eerily broke down as he went to collect the piece and wondered if it was a bad omen.
It may well have been a sign, as he injured his collar bone shortly afterwards.
Meanwhile, at the venue, CCTV and Wifi have both cut out since the portrait arrived.
Other tech issues include the TV’s shutting off – for no reason – and lights have been temperamental.
One employee, Shannon Fagan, has even claimed to see a mysterious other worldly figure in black skirt.
The terrified staff member told The Sun: “We searched on eBay for some props for our new show and came across the portrait. It sort of lured James in.
“When he went into the previous owner’s home the dog was going mad and on his way back his car started having issues.
“We’ve had it for a month now and things have gotten worse since we unwrapped it and placed it on the wall.
“Without any warning the Wi-Fi and the TV have turned off and stopped working.”
The tourist attraction, which holds exhibitions about the capital’s history of death, has reported spooky happenings before – but Shannon says “this is something else”.
“A pair of handcuffs were swinging this morning and I saw a woman in a black skirt out of the corner of my eye,” she continued.
“One of the members of staff came running in and said ‘oh my God’.
“Since we’ve had the painting it’s just been worse.”
The London Bridge Experience has no plans to get rid of the portrait despite the freaky tales.
Old owner Zoe said previously: “People know what they’re buying – it’s in the ad. I’m not going to have a guilty conscience – I just want it out of my life. I’ve had it to the back teeth with this picture.
“I bloody well hope I’ll rid myself of this curse when it sells.
“I don’t care who it goes to, I just want it gone. People know what they’re signing up for.
“It just seems to continue creating havoc. As soon as it’s gone the better. I thought it was a joke to start with and now it’s really not, I want it gone.”
The portrait was originally donated by an elderly man with grey hair to the Hastings Advice Representation Centre charity shop.
It came with a daring note which read: “She’s back. Sold twice and returned twice. Are you brave enough?”
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After a snap was posted on social media, the piece garnered attention from across the globe after sparking conspiracy theories it was “possibly cursed”.
It appears to have found a permanent home now, but if it ever goes on the market again – would you buy it?
Household items that are worth a fortune – and how to find them
Experts believe the average UK attic hides valuables totalling a staggering £1,922, and around £33billion worth of “junk” lurks in our cupboards and drawers
Antiques expert Charlie Ross, who regularly appears on Bargain Hunt and Flog It!, has listed several items to look out for in your home.
’90s vinyl
“Records made from about 1992 to 1999 are especially valuable as not a lot was made at that time. Vinyl from bands like Mansun might sell for £80 or Kula Shaker, £65,” said the expert.
Star Wars
“What really sells well is carded figures, One auction recently sold a rare character called Yak Face, from Return Of The Jedi, for over £1,500,” said Charlie.
Fountain Pens
The Bargain Hunt presenter said: “A rare Namiki fountain pen once sold for £6,000 at auction, while auction house Dreweatts sold a limited-edition Montblanc for an incredible £14,000.”
Old mobiles
“Even if they are not worth a huge amount now, there is no doubt that they will become valuable, so they are worth keeping. The first one of any particular series might also be worth something in years to come”. said Charlie.
Autographs
“If you have a collection of all the Beatles’ autographs, you are sitting on a fortune!” Charlie added.
“I recently met a chap who had a book full of cricketers’ autographs – even that was worth £100.”
Comics
“A Batman Adventures Comic from 1993 could make you around £800. Comics are valuable as they are typically limited edition and quite rare,” explained the expert.
For more information on hidden valuable items, read here.
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