A child looks at the area where several items were being burnt before a house. - Ian Allen

By Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

spanish town, st. catherine

Residents of a section of Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine, yesterday lined the streets and burned incense and myrrh in a desperate effort to chase away a duppy they say has been haunting them.

'Duppy Derrick' has been slamming doors and throwing fans and other objects in one house, and has also tried to scare several residents in the normally quiet fishing village known as Panton Town.

The residents say that 'Derrick' claims he was sent from McCook's Pen, and has come for his woman and his little boy and will not leave until he gets them.

When THE STAR visited the house where the alleged duppy sightings took place, one woman, Dianne, who claims she had to be taken to a church so that the ghost could be exorcised, told THE STAR of her encounter.

"Is I it happen to ennuh sah. Monday mawnin about four o'clock, mi go 'roun a di back cause mi 'ear seh one duppy roun deh, mi jus feel wen mi bady start jerk and mi feel totally different," said Dianne, who had gone to the house out of curiosity, after hearing about the ghost.

For the owner of the house, however, it is a different story. She said that the ghost claims that she looks like his woman and has been haunting her as a result.

"Him determine seh him naw lef yah but mi naw come outta mi house gi im. Dats why wi a burn fire wid pepper, incense and myrrh," said the owner, who spoke to THE STAR on condition of anonymity.

Another resident, Mark Tyson, said the duppy's scaring tactics have stretched much further than the house.

"Last night im throw sand inna one woman eye an start stink up di place but wi naw leave," he said.

It is said that Derrick claims that the residents are too 'faas' and he is going to teach them a lesson.

As the antics of Derrick transform the sleepy fishing village, several persons have been quivering in fear when night falls, while others are excited about the prospect of entertainment from the ghost's various activities.