Police share update in murder case that saw wrong man spend 38 years in prison as hunt for real culprit continues
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
It's been four decades since the body of Diane Sindall was found by a member of the public. What followed was a major murder investigation and one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British history.
The then 21-year-old, who was saving for her wedding day, had been the victim of a sexual assault and was attacked before her body was left in an alleyway during the early hours of 2 August, 1986. She had left work at a pub in Merseyside in her blue Fiat van, but had to stop when she ran out of petrol.
Witnesses had claimed they saw Diane walking along the road between midnight and 12.20am, but in a gruesome discovery just hours later, her body was found lifeless in an alley. There were also witness reports from people stating they had heard screaming and the noise of arguing during the early hours of the morning in the Borough Road area of Birkenhead.
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It was later confirmed she had died of a cerebral haemorrhage from the repeated blows and had been left with significant injuries. Her head and face had been beaten with a blunt object and she had been repeatedly stabbed.
In another twisted turn, police later found some of her clothing that had been burnt just miles away.
The culprit responsible in media reports was dubbed the 'Mersey Ripper' and 'Beast of Birkenhead' and, at the time, caused fear with many women too afraid to be out alone on the streets.
Thousands of people were interviewed as part of the case, and 'clues' led detectives to the door of Peter Sullivan, now aged 68, who was caged for her murder after being convicted the following year.
A couple had told police they saw a man, running out of bushes, who they knew as 'Pete' at the time that officers found the burning clothes. Others who witnessed the fire saw the circulated Crimewatch reconstruction at the time, with their descriptions again leading police back to Sullivan.
He was arrested on circumstantial evidence for murder on 23 September after it was said he gave officers 'completely different' accounts of his whereabouts. Sullivan 'confessed' to the crime, but days later retracted this, claiming he had made it up once he was given access to a solicitor.
He spent 38 years behind bars before a landmark appeal led to his eventual release in a huge miscarriage of justice.
40th anniversary of murder as police continue to hunt attacker
Advancements in DNA evidence testing meant that Sullivan was eventually freed. Following an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission back in 2021, a DNA profile was obtained which did not match Sullivan’s, leading to the Court of Appeal then quashing the conviction in May of last year.
The developments in forensic testing then led Merseyside Police to re-open the case in 2023 in a bid to find the real attacker. The force said 'extensive enquiries' are continuing to identify the person the DNA profile belongs to.
A Crimestoppers reward of up to £20,000 for information given exclusively to the charity that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Diane’s murder remains is still active, Merseyside Police confirmed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the police watchdog, has said it is looking into complaints that are linked to the forces’ investigation raised by Sullivan earlier this year.
Merseyside Police said that at the time of Diane’s murder: “DNA testing was very much in its infancy and this vital evidence was not available to the original investigation team.”
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “Mr Sullivan was a victim of one of the worst miscarriages of justice this country has ever seen. Our thoughts are with him as he continues to rebuild his life. In light of the significant impact this has had, as well as the severity of some of the allegations contained in the complaint, it is important for these matters to be independently investigated.
“The fact this took place almost 40 years ago poses substantial evidential challenges, however we will do all we can to progress our inquiries as quickly as we can, while taking all appropriate steps to ensure this does not hinder the ongoing investigation by Merseyside Police into the horrific crime against Ms Sindall.”
After his conviction was overturned, Sullivan's lawyer, Sarah Myatt, spoke on his behalf. He said: “What happened to me was very wrong. But it does not detract or minimise that all of this happened off the back of a heinous and most terrible loss of life.
“I’m not angry, I’m not bitter. I am simply anxious to return to my loved ones and family as I’ve got to make the most of what is left of the existence I am granted in this world.”
Detectives 'remain determined to get answers' with 32 people 'under review'
A leading Merseyside Police officer, Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill, previously said the murder of Diane 'sent shockwaves through Birkenhead when it happened' and appealed again to anyone living in the area at the time to come forward.
On the 40th anniversary of the brutal killing, detectives again issued a desperate plea for new information. Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said witnesses have been re-interviewed, with the case having so far seen 575 men screened and eliminated from the probe, with 32 currently 'under review'.
“It’s unthinkable that 40 years on from Diane’s murder her killer has still not been brought to justice but I want her family, friends and the wider public to be reassured that we are doing everything in our powers to find that person,” she said.
“We have a dedicated investigation team who have been painstakingly reviewing the original investigation, re-interviewing witnesses, carrying out DNA tests and following up new information submitted by the public.
“We remain determined that Diane’s family get the answers they have waited so long for and that we get justice for Diane. Forty years is a long time but it is never too late for someone to do the right thing and come forward with any information they have which may help to assist our enquiries.
“In 1986 DNA was very much in the early stages and as such was not available to the detectives who originally investigated Diane’s death but her murder was fully investigated by the team. We believe the DNA profile will be key to finding the killer and to date have eliminated 575 people with 32 currently under review.
“It is also possible that someone could hold information about the identity of Diane’s killer but either through fear or a misplaced sense of loyalty has not yet come forward. To those people I would say please have the courage to tell us what you know.”
Information including video footage, can also be passed to police via the Major Incident Police Portal and can also be passed on by contacting Merseyside Police via their website or calling 101. Crimestoppers can also take information anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: True Crime, Crime, UK News
James Holt