Peter Sullivan, once infamously known as the 'Beast of Birkenhead', is set to receive a staggering £1.3 million compensation payout after spending 24 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. His conviction was quashed following fresh evidence that exposed a grave miscarriage of justice.
A Decades-Long Injustice
Sullivan, now 62, was convicted in 1999 for a violent assault in Birkenhead, Merseyside. The case relied heavily on flawed forensic evidence and questionable witness testimonies. Despite maintaining his innocence, Sullivan served nearly a quarter of a century in prison before new DNA analysis and witness recantations led to his exoneration.
The Fight for Justice
His legal team, led by renowned human rights lawyers, argued that procedural errors and withheld evidence had tainted the original trial. 'This was a catastrophic failure of the justice system,' said Sullivan's solicitor. 'Peter lost the prime years of his life due to a wrongful conviction.'
Compensation and Closure
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Sullivan's compensation claim has been approved, with the final amount expected to exceed £1.3 million. While no sum can undo the damage, Sullivan hopes his case will highlight the need for reform in handling forensic evidence and witness reliability.
'I just want to rebuild my life,' Sullivan said in a rare interview. 'No amount of money can give me back those years, but this is a step towards closure.'
