In a recent BBC Podcast, Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead , the murder of Diane Sindall and the wrongful conviction of Peter Sullivan is revisited as one of the most troubling criminal cases in modern British history.

The series explores the investigation into Diane’s tragic death in 1986, the impact the case had on the local community and the unanswered questions that remain today. It also examines how a conviction that stood for nearly four decades was ultimately overturned through advances in forensic science and a determined pursuit of justice from Peter’s solicitor, Sarah Myatt and barrister, Jim Littlehales .

For us at Switalskis, this is a particularly significant story and we’re proud to see Peter’s fight to clear his name shared further through the podcast.

A conviction that lasted 38 years

Peter Sullivan was convicted of Diane Sindall’s murder in 1987 and spend almost 40 years in prison maintaining his innocence. In May 2025, the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction after new DNA evidence was found not to belong to him. The court concluded that the fresh forensic evidence fundamentally undermined the safety of the conviction.

His exoneration marked the end of what is widely recognised as the longest known miscarriage of justice in British legal history. Yet, he never received an official apology from the Court or Merseyside Police.

The human cost of wrongful convictions

Cases of miscarriages of justice are often talked about in terms of the legal procedure, forensic evidence and appeals. But, behind every case is a person whose life has been profoundly altered.

Peter lost 38 years, which he should have spent in freedom. His family endured years of uncertainty and frustration as he continued to assert his innocence. At the same time, the family of Diane Sindall were denied the proper certainty that comes with identifying and convicting the true perpetrator.

The BBC Sounds podcast highlights an uncomfortable reality: when the wrong person is convicted, justice is not achieved for anyone. While the victim’s family remain without answers, an innocent person pays an unimaginable price.

Why this story still matters

The Beast of Birkenhead is more than a true-crime podcast. It is a reminder of the lasting consequences of wrongful convictions.

As legal professionals, we understand that challenging a conviction is rarely straightforward. Cases can take years, sometimes decades to resolve. Peter Sullivan’s case demonstrates why perseverance matters and why access to effective legal representation remains vital for those seeking to overturn unsafe convictions.

We are proud to have played a role in his fight to clear his name and will continue to support him searching for an apology he has waited almost four decades for.