A British man has been exonerated after serving nearly 38 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Peter Sullivan was convicted in 1986 of killing Diane Sindall, a flower shop worker who was sexually assaulted and brutally beaten while walking home from a bar in Birkenhead, Merseyside.
New DNA Evidence
The breakthrough came when new DNA evidence was discovered, linking the crime to a different individual. The DNA sample was taken from semen found at the crime scene. Advances in technology allowed for re-examination of the evidence, which was not possible at the time of the original trial. The investigation, which restarted in 2023, involved screening over 260 men, ruling out Sullivan, Sindall’s family members, and her fiancé.
Wrongful Conviction
Sullivan’s conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal after the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) reviewed his case and found the new evidence. The CCRC is an independent body that investigates potential miscarriages of justice.
Sullivan, now 68, was visibly emotional when he heard the verdict, breaking down in tears during a video link from HMP Wakefield prison. In a statement released by his lawyer, he expressed no anger or bitterness, acknowledging the gravity of the crime while emphasizing the importance of truth.
Family Reaction
Sullivan’s sister, Kim Smith, expressed sympathy for the Sindall family, saying that no one wins in a case like this. She noted that while her brother is free, the Sindall family will never get their daughter back. Sullivan was released from HMP Wakefield at 2:15 pm local time on Tuesday, May 13, having spent 14,113 days behind bars.
The original investigation had relied on eyewitness testimony and Sullivan’s inconsistent alibi. His lawyer argued that he had learning difficulties and was easily influenced during police questioning, which occurred without legal representation.
Source: BBC
