The BBC Investigation: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Murder of Diane Sindall
A shocking miscarriage of justice has been revealed in the case of Diane Sindall, a 21-year-old woman who was brutally murdered in Birkenhead in 1986. According to a report by the BBC, Peter Sullivan was wrongly convicted of the crime and has spent 37 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.
The BBC has pieced together the events surrounding Ms Sindall’s murder, using archival footage and court documents to shed light on the case. Ms Sindall was a well-known figure in her hometown of Seacombe in Wirral, where her family ran a popular floristry business. In 1986, she was working behind the bar at the Wellington pub in Bebington, where she was seen alive on the last night of her life.
On August 1, 1986, Ms Sindall left the pub and drove home, but her van ran out of petrol on Borough Road in Birkenhead. She started walking along the busy road, but never made it home. A taxi driver reported seeing a man and woman arguing on the road, and witnesses heard screams coming from the area between 00:30 and 02:00.
The next morning, Ms Sindall’s half-naked body was found in an alleyway off Borough Road. She had suffered a fractured skull, facial lacerations, and brutal mutilation. The pathologist who examined her body described her injuries as "the very worst" he had ever seen.
The BBC has obtained court documents that reveal the police investigation was one of the largest in Merseyside’s history, with over 3,000 people interviewed. However, the police seemed to have no leads, and it wasn’t until some of Ms Sindall’s clothes were found burning on nearby Bidston Hill that they began to focus on Peter Sullivan.
Sullivan was arrested and, after a series of interviews, he appeared to confess to the murder. However, he later retracted his confession, claiming he had made it up. Despite this, Sullivan was jailed for life in 1987, with the prosecution relying heavily on the apparent confession and dubious forensic evidence, including bite marks on Ms Sindall’s body.
However, the BBC has discovered that expert dentists have since questioned the reliability of this evidence. Additionally, new forensic testing of a semen sample from the scene has revealed a DNA profile that does not match Sullivan.
In 2019, an appeal hearing heard criticisms of the police investigation and the 1987 trial. Last year, Merseyside Police reopened the investigation, and in February, they sent letters to people identified in 1986, asking them to voluntarily submit DNA samples.
The BBC has spoken to experts who have raised concerns about Sullivan’s vulnerability during police interviews. Psychologist Dr. Harry Wood said Sullivan’s "limited intellectual capacity" and "suggestibility" should have led to concerns about his answers in interviews and his apparent confessions.
As the investigation continues, there is renewed concern on Merseyside that a murderer has remained at large and unpunished for close to 40 years. In Birkenhead, a small black granite memorial to Ms Sindall still bears fresh flowers and small notes, a poignant reminder of the tragic circumstances of her death.
The BBC has learned that Ms Sindall’s family and friends still seek justice for her brutal murder. As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the case of Diane Sindall will not be forgotten.
According to the BBC, Peter Sullivan’s case is considered one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history. His lawyers have long maintained that he was innocent, and his conviction was a result of police misconduct and flawed forensic evidence.
The BBC has obtained a statement from Merseyside Police, who say they are committed to solving the case and bringing the perpetrator to justice. The investigation is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
In a statement, the BBC said: "This case is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of miscarriages of justice. We will continue to investigate and report on this story, seeking the truth and justice for Diane Sindall and her family."
The BBC has revealed that Peter Sullivan has been a Category A prisoner for 38 years, and his case has been the subject of much controversy over the years. As the investigation continues, the BBC will provide updates and analysis on this developing story.
