In a shocking turn of events, Peter Sullivan, a man wrongly convicted of the 1986 murder of Diane Sindall in Merseyside, has finally been exonerated and released from prison. After spending a staggering 38 years behind bars, Sullivan has come forward to reveal the harrowing details of his ordeal, shedding light on a grave miscarriage of justice.
The case, which was initially dubbed the “Beast of Birkenhead” and the “Mersey Ripper” by tabloid newspapers, has been the subject of a renewed investigation by Merseyside Police. Sindall, a 21-year-old florist, was brutally murdered in a frenzied sexual attack on Borough Road, Birkenhead, after leaving her shift at a local pub.
In a recent development, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) ordered fresh DNA testing on evidence recovered from Sindall’s body. The results proved that the DNA profile did not match Sullivan’s, leading to his conviction being overturned by the Court of Appeal in May 2025.
Sullivan, who has learning difficulties, has now come forward to share his harrowing experience. He claims that he was “bullied” by police into making a false confession, even alleging that he was beaten with truncheons during his interviews. “I can’t forgive them for what they’ve done to me, because it’s going to be there for the rest of my life,” he told the BBC, adding that he had “lost everything” since going to prison.
Merseyside Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over Sullivan’s allegations, acknowledging that the investigation in 1986 was vastly different from today’s standards. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson highlighted the advancements in technology, stating, “Leading an investigation now I’d have CCTV, I’d have telecoms. Back in 1986 there was nothing like that.”
In a bid to finally bring Sindall’s killer to justice, Merseyside Police and the independent charity Crimestoppers have jointly offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the real perpetrator. Crimestoppers’ regional manager, Gary Murray, has appealed to the public, saying, “Someone, somewhere knows what happened that night.”
As the investigation continues, the case has reignited calls for reform in the justice system, with many questioning the compensation Sullivan will receive for his wrongful imprisonment. The search for the true killer of Diane Sindall remains ongoing, and the community of Merseyside hopes that this renewed push will finally provide the answers they have long sought.
