£20,000 Reward Launched to Identify Real Killer in 1986 Birkenhead Murder Case
A substantial £20,000 reward has been announced in a renewed effort to finally identify the real perpetrator behind the brutal 1986 murder of Diane Sindall in Merseyside. This development follows the overturning of Peter Sullivan's wrongful conviction, which saw him imprisoned for nearly four decades for a crime he did not commit.
Decades of Injustice Overturned by DNA Breakthrough
Peter Sullivan, now 68, was released from prison in May last year after serving 38 years for the murder of 21-year-old bride-to-be Diane Sindall. His conviction was quashed when advanced DNA testing, unavailable at the time of the original investigation, revealed that semen samples collected from the crime scene did not match his genetic profile. This scientific breakthrough has transformed the case, exposing what is now considered one of the longest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.
Mr Sullivan, who has learning difficulties, has described being "bullied" into a false confession during police interviews where he was denied legal representation. He alleges physical mistreatment in custody, stating officers threw a blanket over him and struck him with truncheons to extract cooperation. Despite retracting his confession, he was convicted in 1987 and repeatedly denied parole for refusing to admit guilt for a murder he did not commit.
The Night of the Murder: August 1, 1986
Diane Sindall, who worked at a florist and part-time at the Wellington Pub in Bebington, Wirral, was murdered while returning home from a shift. Her blue Fiat van ran out of petrol, and she was last seen walking between midnight and 12.20am, presumably heading toward a bus stop or garage. Her body was discovered twelve hours later in an alleyway by a dog walker. The post-mortem examination revealed she had been raped, violently beaten to death, and subjected to further brutal injuries.
On August 17, 1986, property belonging to Ms Sindall was recovered on Bidston Hill, where witnesses reported seeing a small fire and a man fleeing the scene on August 3. These details remain crucial to the ongoing investigation.
Renewed Police Appeal with Anonymous Tip Line
Merseyside Police, in collaboration with the charity Crimestoppers, has launched a fresh appeal for information. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson emphasized that "it is never too late to do the right thing", urging anyone with knowledge or suspicions to come forward. The £20,000 reward is specifically for information leading to the arrest of the culprit.
Gary Murray, North West regional manager at Crimestoppers, highlighted the charity's anonymous reporting service, assuring potential witnesses that their personal details are never requested and their communications cannot be traced. "Please help bring answers to Diane's family, who have waited almost 40 years for justice," he appealed.
Scientific Evidence Points to Unknown Male
The re-examined DNA evidence not only exonerated Mr Sullivan but also confirmed that the genetic material does not match any member of Ms Sindall's family or her then-fiancé David Beattie, who has since relocated to Australia. The profile belongs to an unknown male who is not on the national DNA database and has no links to other unsolved offences.
This critical evidence emerged through analytical methods developed only in 2015, underscoring how technological advancements can revisit and rectify historical injustices. Lord Justice Holroyde, while quashing the conviction, acknowledged that "strong though the circumstantial evidence undoubtedly seemed at the trial, it is now necessary to take into account the new scientific evidence pointing to someone else - the unknown man."
Long Road to Exoneration
Mr Sullivan's path to freedom was arduous. He applied to the High Court for permission to appeal in 2019, which was rejected in 2021. However, in November 2024, the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred his case back to the Court of Appeal based on the new DNA findings, leading to his eventual release.
Speaking from a secret location with his identity concealed, Mr Sullivan expressed a desire for an apology from Merseyside Police and conveyed sympathy for Ms Sindall's family, who now face the renewed trauma of an unsolved murder. "I feel sorry for Miss Sindall's family who are back at square one and not knowing who the person is that killed their daughter," he stated.
The investigation continues, with police urging anyone who was on Borough Road during the relevant times, witnessed suspicious activity, or has heard information over the years to contact them anonymously. The force confirms they can trace and request DNA samples from suspects or their relatives, even if they have emigrated or passed away.
