Peter Sullivan tells BBC: 'I was bullied into false murder confession'

Peter Sullivan tells BBC: 'I was bullied into false murder confession'

This article reports on Peter Sullivan, a man who spent 38 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. His conviction for the 1986 killing of Diane Sindall in Birkenhead was quashed in 2023 following new DNA evidence.

Key points include:

– Peter Sullivan, who has learning difficulties, was convicted of the brutal murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall, who was attacked and beaten to death in Birkenhead.
– He alleges that during police interrogations in 1986, he was beaten and bullied into falsely confessing. Sullivan said he was denied legal advice for several early interviews and was not provided with an appropriate adult despite his learning difficulties.
– New DNA tests showed he was not present at the crime scene, leading to the Court of Appeal overturning his conviction in May 2023.
– Sullivan has called for an apology from Merseyside Police, though the force has said their officers acted within the law at the time and said they were previously unaware of allegations of police violence and threats.
– Sullivan described how the conviction and media coverage branded him with harsh nicknames like “The Beast of Birkenhead,” severely affecting his life and reputation.
– He recounted painful personal experiences in prison, including being denied permission to attend his mother’s funeral because it was at the same cemetery as the victim.
– He continues to seek acknowledgment and redress for the miscarriage of justice he experienced.

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Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More