New Appeal Launched to Solve Diane Sindall Murder
A renewed appeal has been issued by BBC Crimewatch in an effort to resolve the murder case of Diane Sindall, a young woman whose death led to a wrongful conviction and nearly four decades of imprisonment for an innocent man.
Peter Sullivan, known as the "Beast of Birkenhead," was imprisoned for 38 years after being wrongly accused of the brutal sexual assault and murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall in Birkenhead, Wirral, on 1 August 1986.
Sullivan was released last year following the recovery of a DNA profile that conclusively did not match him. Subsequently, Merseyside Police reopened the investigation into the case.
Focus on Witness Reports and New Leads
Detectives have concentrated their appeal on a couple reportedly seen arguing on Borough Road, near the location where Sindall was last observed alive.
"Is that Diane and our offender or is this another couple who have had some sort of argument?" asked Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson during the BBC appeal.
"From the timing and the sighting, I believe that is potentially going to be Diane with our offender but I need to eliminate it either way."
"It was a brutal murder."
The full Crimewatch Live appeal will be broadcast on BBC1 at 10:45 GMT and will be available on for 30 days following the broadcast.
Details of the Crime
Diane Sindall was working part-time as a barmaid to save money for her upcoming wedding when she was attacked on her way home after a shift at the Wellington Pub in Bebington late on 1 August 1986.
She was forcibly taken into an alley off Borough Road in Birkenhead, where her partially clothed body was discovered the next afternoon.
Police believe that although Sindall left the pub in a blue Fiat van, it ran out of petrol, prompting her to continue on foot along Borough Road, either to reach a bus stop or to find an all-night garage.
The severity of the attack led to the perpetrator being nicknamed "The Beast of Birkenhead."
Wrongful Conviction and Release of Peter Sullivan
Peter Sullivan, now 68, spoke to the BBC for the first time since his release, revealing that he was subjected to police brutality and coercion into falsely confessing to the murder.
Sullivan was interviewed 22 times over a period of four weeks and was denied legal representation during his first seven interviews.
He has learning difficulties, and his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in May of the previous year.
Further Information and Updates
Listeners can access highlights from BBC Radio Merseyside on and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Additionally, updates are available through BBC North West Tonight on BBC .
