The Beast of Birkenhead: 68-year-old innocently released after 38 years!

The Beast of Birkenhead: 68-year-old innocently released after 38 years!

Peter Sullivan, a 68-year-old man from Birkenhead, was wrongfully released on May 13, 2025 after 38 years in prison. He was convicted of the rape and murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall, who was brutally murdered in 1986. Diane Sindall's body showed severe head injuries and signs of sexual violence. Sullivan was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 due to contradictory witness statements and disputed evidence and was given the tabloid nickname “Beast of Birkenhead.”

The turning point in this case came with new DNA evidence examined by the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 2024. This evidence showed that DNA recovered from the crime scene did not match Sullivan. Sullivan had filed an application for a review of his case in 2021, which ultimately led to the reassessment of the evidence, without the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) challenging the DNA testing results. This resulted in his case being referred to the Court of Appeal.

New insights and emotional release

On May 13, 2025, Peter Sullivan was finally acquitted. He watched the overturning of his conviction via video from prison and reacted emotionally to the decision. Despite the painful experience of decades of incarceration, Sullivan holds no grudges. He emphasized the tragic loss of life due to the crime and expressed gratitude for the new evidence proving his innocence.

Sullivan's conviction was based on the testimony of witnesses and what was considered incriminating bite mark analysis. However, the latter, which played a central role in his conviction, has increasingly lost credibility in recent years. There were also important questions regarding the police interviews that were carried out at the time.

In search of justice

The police have now launched another investigation to find the real perpetrator of Diane Sindall's murder. She is asking the public for information to further the long search for justice for the victim and her family. So far, Diane Sindall's family has not commented publicly on the new developments, underscoring the sensitivity of the case.

Peter Sullivan was a Category A prisoner for 38 years and never gave up hope of acquittal, despite repeated rejections of his previous requests for DNA testing and appeal. The course of this case is not only a tragic story of individual injustice, but also raises fundamental questions about the reliability of evidence in criminal law. How Focus and BBC report, it remains to be seen how the investigation will develop and whether it will lead to a solution to the crime.