After 38 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, Peter Sullivan has had his murder conviction overturned, exposing what is believed to be one of Britain's longest miscarriages of justice.
A Life Taken: The Fight for Freedom
Peter Sullivan, now 68, was wrongly convicted in 1987 for the frenzied murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall. The florist and part-time pub worker was killed as she left work in Bebington, Merseyside. In a landmark decision in May of this year, the Court of Appeal quashed Sullivan's conviction after new DNA tests were conducted, proving his innocence.
The Allegations of Police Coercion
Six months after his release, Sullivan has given a powerful interview, detailing the alleged police brutality that led to his false confession. He claims that while in custody, officers from Merseyside Police threw a blanket over him and beat him with truncheons to force his cooperation.
"They were leathering me," Sullivan stated, recounting the pain. He further alleges he was systematically denied food, sleep, and the presence of an appropriate adult, despite police records noting his learning difficulties.
In a shocking claim, Sullivan says he was threatened with being charged with "35 other rapes" if he did not confess to the murder. The pressure and alleged violence led to a confession that would see him lose nearly four decades of his life.
The Lasting Scars of Injustice
The impact of his wrongful imprisonment is profound. Sullivan speaks of losing everything: his freedom, and both his parents while he was incarcerated. "I can’t forgive them for what they’ve done to me because it’s going to be there with me for the rest of my life," he said.
His only request is a simple one: an apology from Merseyside police. The case attracted lurid tabloid headlines at the time, branding him the "beast of Birkenhead" and "the Wolfman"—labels he says will forever haunt him.
While Sullivan rebuilds his life, the search for Diane Sindall's real killer continues. Merseyside Police have reopened the murder investigation, and to date, 456 men have been screened and eliminated. A granite memorial near the murder site stands in memory of Diane and all women lost to violence.
In a poignant message to Sindall's family, Sullivan expressed his deep sorrow and offered his support. "If they want my support when they go to court with the guy, when they find him, I will go to court with them. I will be there by their side 100%."
Merseyside Police stated they "regret that there has been a grave miscarriage of justice" but noted that Sullivan's specific allegations of beatings and rape threats were the first they had heard of them. Peter Sullivan has yet to receive any compensation for his 38 lost years.
