He spent 38 years in prison, although he was not guilty of murder. New evidence has arrived
The tragic event occurred on the night of August 1-2, 1986 in Bebington, Merseyside (Great Britain). 21-year-old Diane Sindall, the owner of a florist and bartender, returned home from work when in the nearby Birkenhead suddenly her fuel ended. She decided to go further on the busy and well -lit Borough Road route. It was a mistake.
Great Britain. The murder of a 21-year-old bartender shook the local community
The next morning, her body Diane was found in the alley at Borough Road. The young woman was attacked, raped and beaten to death by an unknown perpetrator. There was fear among the inhabitants of the village, and in particular.
The police initiated an extensive investigation, during which they questioned about 3,000. people – describes the BBC. Finally, on charges of murder, Peter Sullivan, a 30-year-old unemployed worker from Birkenhead, was arrested. The man assured that when there was a crime, he was in a local pub, where he played darts and drank alcohol.
During the trial, the British press called Sullivan « Beast of Birkenhead » and « Wilkołak ». In 1987, the court found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment, but the man never pleaded guilty. His defenders fought for years to set aside the sentence, but this did not bring results.
He spent 38 years in prison, now he was acquitted. All thanks to DNA tests
Everything changed in 2023, when the Commission for the Przegląd Criminal Affairs (CCRC) commissioned new, modern tests, and these showed that in the samples preserved from the murder site there was no DNA convicted for this crime Peter Sullivan. The investigation has been undertaken again.
The police informed that as part of the proceedings, research involving over 260 men was conducted. Unfortunately, none of the results indicated a new suspect.
London court on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. decided to set aside the conviction Sullivan, emphasizing that new DNA evidence is crucial for the case and their adoption is « both necessary and intentional in the interest of the judiciary. »
« In the light of this evidence, a conviction against the accused cannot be considered appropriate, » said judge Timothy Holroyde.
The court’s decision caused an avalanche of emotions. « We have to try to build life again »
Sullivan, who took part in the hearing with a video link from the prison in Wakefield, was unable to stop emotions while announcing the verdict. According to the BBC, the man cried when he heard the court’s decision. Over 14 thousand The days spent behind bars, which consisted of almost all his adult life, got acquittal.
In a statement read by his lawyer, Sullivan confessed that « he was not angry or bitter. » « What happened to me was very bad, but it does not diminish the fact that what happened was a terrible and most terrible loss of life, » he emphasized.
Sullivan’s sister, Kim Smith, after the trial, admitted that in this case « nobody won » and expressed compassion for the family of Diane Sindall, murdered years ago.
– They lost their daughter, they won’t get her back. We regained Peter and now we have to try to build life around him again – said BBC Kim Smith. « It’s very sad that it had to happen at all, » she added.
According to the British media, this is the longest -lasting judicial mistake in the history of Great Britain regarding the living prisoner.
The story of Peter Sullivan remains a shocking example of how court errors can change human life forever. Thanks to contemporary investigative methods, returning to justice has become possible, but questions about responsibility for systemic neglect remain open. Like who committed the crime of 1986.
(Source: PAP, BBC)
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Pa Video/Pa Images/Forum, Julia Quenzler/Reuters
Peter Sullivan spent 38 years in prison for the murder. Now the court acquitted him.
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Julia Quenzler / Reuters
In 1987, Peter Sullivan was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 21-year-old bartender. The man never pleaded guilty.
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