Detectives have said there is a "very real chance" the true killer of a young woman murdered in 1986 is still on the streets after a man wrongfully convicted of the frenzied sexual attack was freed. Peter Sullivan had spent the last 38 years behind bars for the murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall in Birkenhead, Merseyside, before he was dramatically acquitted by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday. Now 68, Mr Sullivanwas releasedfrom prison after judges heard a DNA profile pointing to an unknown attacker was found after new testing on semen samples preserved from the crime scene. Det Ch Supt Karen Jaundrill, head of investigations at Merseyside Police, said the force has since made contact with every man identified in the original investigation and "had not met with any resistance" to DNA screening. The detective said more than 260 men had been tested and eliminated as a suspect. She has now appealed for people in the community to come forward if they can think of anyone whose "behaviour they were not happy with" at the time, admitting there was a "very real chance" the killer was still at large. Miss Sindall was dragged into an alley and beaten to death on 2 August 1986 in an attack detectives at the time described as the worst they had ever been involved in. Merseyside Police said it had immediately reopened Miss Sindall's case after being told there was a new DNA profile in 2023, despite Mr Sullivan's appeal still being in progress at the time. Det Ch Supt Jaundrill said that while the DNA was the main focus of investigative efforts, her team will rely heavily on people who lived in Birkenhead at the time for answers. "I'm really hopeful with the work that we are doing but we really are relying on the community, particularly Birkenhead, just to really think about the nature of that investigation at the time," she said. "Try and reflect on any individuals that you weren't happy with at the time. "It may be that somebody has passed away and you weren't happy with their behaviour at the time and you think they were linked. "My ask would be please contact us, regardless of how insignificant you think the information is, and let us judge where that fits into our investigation." Miss Sindall, who worked as a florist, had also been doing part-time bar work at the Wellington Pub in Bebington to save up for her upcoming wedding to her fiancé, David Beattie. She began driving to her home in Seacombe in her blue Fiat van but seemingly ran out of petrol, and began walking to what police believe was either a bus stop or an all night garage shortly after 00:00 BST. Her semi-naked body was discovered partially concealed in an alleyway by a woman walking her dog at about 12:30 BST that day. She had suffered severe injuries and her death was found to have been caused by repeated blows to the head. Det Ch Supt Jaundrill said Miss Sindall's family and fiancé were "fully supportive" of the new investigation and "very much want us" to find her real killer. Asked about the chances of the true attacker still being on the streets nearly four decades later, she added: "There is a very real chance. "That's where I reiterate our dedicated team of investigators are working tirelessly. "We're exploiting every opportunity to try and identify who the person is in relation to that DNA sample, but it does come back to that point - we are reliant on the communities, particularly Birkenhead to provide information." The force has defended how it investigated the original case, and highlighted that the technology to extract a DNA profile from the semen samples recovered from Miss Sindall's body was still many years away at the time of her murder. It has also pointed to the fact that two other grounds of appeal, related to how Mr Sullivan was interrogated and the admissibility of bite mark evidence, were rejected by appeal court judges. Det Ch Supt Jaundrill said: "Nobody at Merseyside Police underestimates the impact on Peter Sullivan and I am grateful that the outcome at court will allow him to go out and rebuild his life. "Our focus remains on finding justice for Diane." Mr Sullivan's solicitor Sarah Myatt said her client was a "private man" and wanted to be "left in peace" to rebuild his life. Mr Sullivan, in a statement read to the media by Ms Myatt outside the Court of Appeal, had said he was not "angry or bitter" and expressed his wish that the Sindall family get justice. Ms Myatt, who has represented Mr Sullivan for 20 years, said she had been "honoured" to read those words on his behalf. "The comments he made about wanting the family to get a resolution, to find peace, that is a true reflection on the man that he is," she said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside onBBC Soundsand follow BBC Merseyside onFacebook,X, andInstagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight onBBC iPlayer.
'Real chance' true killer from 1986 remains at large
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Merseyside Police Reopen Investigation into 1986 Murder After Wrongful Conviction"
Bbc News
8.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Detectives from Merseyside Police have announced a renewed investigation into the murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall, who was killed in Birkenhead in 1986. This comes after Peter Sullivan, a man wrongfully convicted of her murder, was acquitted and released from prison after 38 years. New DNA testing on preserved semen samples from the crime scene revealed a profile of an unknown attacker, prompting police to reach out to over 260 men originally identified in the case. Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill emphasized the importance of community involvement, urging residents to provide any information about individuals whose behavior might have raised concerns at the time of the murder. She acknowledged the potential that the true killer remains at large, stating, "There is a very real chance" that the perpetrator is still in the community.
Diane Sindall was brutally attacked and murdered on August 2, 1986, in an incident described by detectives as one of the worst they had encountered. Following her death, her fiancé and family have been supportive of the renewed investigation, hoping for justice. As the investigation progresses, police are focusing on the new DNA evidence while also relying on community insights to piece together the events surrounding her murder. The original investigation faced challenges due to the limitations of forensic technology at the time, but with advancements in DNA profiling, authorities are optimistic about identifying the real killer. Sullivan has expressed no anger towards the situation, wishing for justice for Sindall's family and indicating his desire to rebuild his life after being exonerated. Merseyside Police have stated their commitment to finding justice for Diane while acknowledging the significant impact on Sullivan's life due to the wrongful conviction.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant development in a cold case involving the murder of Diane Sindall, a young woman killed in 1986. The wrongful conviction of Peter Sullivan, who spent 38 years in prison, has raised concerns about the potential presence of the actual killer still being at large. This situation draws attention to the failures of the justice system and the necessity for community involvement in solving such cases.
Implications of the Wrongful Conviction
The wrongful conviction of Peter Sullivan underscores serious flaws within the criminal justice system. It brings to light the dangers of relying solely on circumstantial evidence or outdated forensic methods. The fact that he was exonerated due to new DNA evidence suggests a need for improved practices in the handling of evidence and the prosecution of suspects. This situation may lead to public demand for reforms in legal procedures to prevent similar injustices in the future.
Community Involvement and Responsibility
The appeal from Det Ch Supt Karen Jaundrill for community members to reflect on their past experiences highlights the importance of communal responsibility in criminal investigations. The call for individuals to come forward if they remember suspicious behavior suggests a strategy to engage the public actively, which may help in identifying the real perpetrator. This could foster a sense of collective accountability among residents, potentially changing the dynamics of community-police relations.
Media Influence and Public Perception
The article aims to evoke a strong emotional response from readers, creating a sense of urgency regarding the unresolved case. By focusing on the tragic circumstances of Diane Sindall's murder and the long-term implications of Sullivan's wrongful conviction, the report seeks to raise awareness about the importance of justice and the safety of the community. This narrative may shape public perception, fostering a heightened awareness of unsolved crimes and the need for vigilance.
Potential Manipulation and Hidden Agendas
While the article provides factual information, there might be an underlying agenda to influence public sentiment regarding law enforcement efficacy. The emphasis on the community's role in solving the case could be a strategy to distract from previous police failures or to redirect criticism towards individual citizens rather than the system itself. The language used is emotionally charged, which may lead to a perception of manipulation, aiming to rally public support for an investigation that has previously been deemed unsuccessful.
Trustworthiness of the Report
The information presented appears credible, given the involvement of law enforcement officials and the reference to DNA evidence. However, the emotional framing and the call for community action could suggest an intention to guide public opinion rather than present an objective account of events. The potential manipulation through suggestive language and community pressure raises questions about the overall neutrality of the reporting.
This news article serves as a reminder of the complexities of the criminal justice system and the vital role of community engagement in addressing unsolved cases. It emphasizes the need for systemic changes and the importance of collective vigilance in ensuring justice.