A CONVICTED murderer imprisoned for nearly 40 years after confessing to mutilating a barmaid has professed his innocence amid “new” DNA evidence.
Peter Sullivan, then-aged 29, dubbed the “Beast of Birkenhead”, was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for the murder of florist Diane Sindall, 21, with a crowbar in Bebington, Merseyside.
Now, new DNA evidence has helped Sullivan’s murder conviction to be referred to the Court of Appeal, following his application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) in 2021.
Diane’s brutal death took place in late summer of 1986 after she had left work at the Wellington Hotel one Friday evening.
She had been working shifts at the venue to help pay for her upcoming wedding to her childhood sweetheart.
However, little did she know her shift on 1 August, 1986, would tragically be her last.
Around 15 minutes into her short journey home, the part-time barmaid ran out of fuel, coming to a stop near a roundabout in Birkenhead.
She was left with no choice but to grab her jerry can from the back of her Fiat Fiorino van and walk to the nearest petrol station.
Witnesses say they saw Diane stop the vehicle at around 11.45pm and she was dressed in a white top with black spots, jeans, green high-heeled shoes and was carrying a handbag.
Despite walking along the busy and well-lit Borough Road, the young woman met her untimely demise on this path.
At some point shortly after midnight, Diane was savagely beaten to death, with her half-naked, mutilated and assaulted body left discarded in an alleyway.
Bus driver Gary Lamb told police he had spotted her at 0.03am just before a bus stop.
She had also reportedly been seen at 0.10am by a taxi driver who saw a woman struggling and arguing with a man – he added they appeared to know each other.
Diane’s body was only discovered around 12 hours later on Saturday by a woman walking her dog having been beaten around her face, head, and body.
Despite having multiple fractures, her bra and t-shirt pulled up around her neck, and her jeans, shoes, underwear, and handbag all missing, Diane was still wearing her diamond engagement ring.
Merseyside Police then launched its largest ever murder inquiry to hunt for the killer, also nicknamed “The Wolfman” for the bite marks found on Diane’s body.
Sullivan was a petty criminal with a string of convictions who had also spent time in a youth detention centre when he was a teenager, although he had no history of sexual violence.
The unemployed labourer had a reputation of being an attention-seeking character and was charged with Diane’s murder following a “confession”.
However, he later retracted this and claimed it was made under duress from police but this did not stop him being convicted of murder at Liverpool Crown Court and jailed for life in November 1987.
Sullivan has continuously maintained his innocence, with new DNA evidence meaning he could potentially be exonerated in what could be one of the “most grievous miscarriages of justice to date.”
The CCRC has said that Sullivan’s application in March 2021 raised concerns about his interviews by police, bitemark evidence presented in his trial, and what was said to be the murder weapon.
It then obtained DNA evidence from samples taken at the time of the offence, which were then proven to not match Sullivan’s.
Following this, the CCRC sent his case back to the courts and it has been referred to the Court of Appeal.
An investigation by The Mail on Sunday found alleged behaviour by some CID officers in Merseyside Police during the late 1980s and early 1990s, including giving suspects a “good banging” in order to get a confession, to be routine.
On top of this, there are “disturbing” claims that Sullivan was initially denied legal representation and the support of an “appropriate adult” to act in his best interests, as he was a person of “limited intellectual capacity”.
A 2019 appeal directly to the High Court by Sullivan was backed by a leading forensic dentists that cast serious doubts over the “reliability” of the bite mark evidence used.
It also called on a consultant psychologist that highlighted Sullivan’s “limited intellectual capacity and suggestibility”, which gave rise to concerns that he could have been forced into his confession during police interviews.
While this was rejected by the Court of Appeal on the basis that the bite marks evidence was “not central to his conviction”, the CCRC has now said this evidence may be crucial.
Now, the Court of Appeal has the power to quash Sullivan’s conviction and potentially end his near four decades of prison-time.
While he waits for his case to be heard, Merseyside Police has said it has reopened its investigation into the “Beast of Birkenhead”, with some of the original witnesses in the case being re-interviewed.
WILLIE MULLINS has given an update on Lossiemouth and her plans for Cheltenham Festival after her heartbreaking fall against State Man.
The two stablemates were contesting a right humdinger in the Irish Champion Hurdle before Rich Ricci’s mare came down on the back straight.
Her capsizing almost brought down State Man too, but Paul Townend swerved him out of trouble just in time and strolled to victory.
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Lossiemouth’s jockey Danny Mullins was seen clutching his arm immediately after the devastating fall.
Fortunately he was deemed well enough to ride again in the next race while Lossiemouth was up on her feet and seemingly well too.
Mullins has insisted they have been training Lossiemouth for the Champion Hurdle for the past two years.
She breezed to victory in last year’s Mares’ Hurdle after winning the Triumph the previous year.
Armed with her 7lb mares’ allowance, she was expected to serve it up to odds-on fav Constitution Hill in their showdown next month.
And Mullins said that remains the plan, even though Nicky Henderson’s stable star got the better of her in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
He told Racing TV: “Unless she’s injured, nothing changes.
“Unless Rich thinks differently we’re happy to go for the Champion Hurdle.”
Bookies pushed Lossiemouth out to as big as 5-1 after yesterday’s fall.
Constitution Hill is as short as 1-2 while Gordon Elliott – rocked by the news Gerri Colombe is out for the season – has 2-1 second-fav Brighterdaysahead.
But it looks like the Gigginstown-owned mare – who thrashed State Man when last seen – will head to the Mares’ Hurdle.
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MOLLY-MAE Hague has admitted she wanted to ‘run away from everything’ whilst filming her Prime Video docuseries.
The mum-of-one, 25, also opened up on feeling ‘anxious’ and confessed to being in her ‘overthinking era’ after the recent release of the first three episodes of her new documentary.
In her latest vlog, which was uploaded to YouTube just 15 hours ago, the Filter founder, who lives in a huge £3.5million mansion with her two-year-old daughter Bambi, gave fans a close-up look at her recent £1,5000 trip to St. Moritz, Switzerland.
But before showing off the stunning outfits she wore and snowstorms she faced on the ‘work trip’, the blonde beauty confessed: “I feel like I’m overthinking everything that I post, say or do at the minute.
“I’m very much in my overthinking era.
“It’s basically since the documentary has come out, everything I post and do, I’m just getting used to posting normally again.”
The Love Island star turned businesswoman, who broke up with Tommy Fury, 25, last August, then acknowledged: “I have to, from the bottom of my heart, say a huge thank you. I still cannot get over the response.
“I have had the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders since the documentary went live.”
The Maebe founder then got candid and explained: “I’ve got to be completely honest with you, I’ve had moments over the last six months of filming, I really had moments where I just wanted to run away from everything.
“I didn’t feel like I had the strength, I didn’t feel like I had the confidence to talk vulnerably.
“It’s so different for me and as much as I show you guys a lot over here, obviously on the documentary you guys saw so much more than I’ve ever spoken about, shown, delved into.
“It was quite against the grain for me. I’ve always controlled what I share so much and whilst I obviously was in control of what I said and did, I was letting go of the control in that I was giving it over to Amazon.
“[Amazon] have been the most unbelievable team, I’ve loved working with them so much.
“It’s not been easy but it made it so much easier for me.”
After five years together, Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury split up in August 2024.
At around 4pm on Wednesday, August 14, Molly-Mae and Tommy suffer an explosive showdown and Molly-Mae announces her split from fiancé Tommy Fury, saying ‘ I never imagined our story would end, especially not this way’.
An hour later Tommy shares a separate and brief statement confirming they have parted ways, and thanks Molly-Mae for making him ‘a dad’.
The real reason they split emerges and on Thursday, August 15 The Sun reveals how Molly-Mae learned Tommy had cheated on her – leading to an explosive showdown.
On Saturday, August 17, The Sun reveals how Molly-Mae had been sent an upsetting video showing Tommy kissing a girl in a nightclub in North Macedonia on a lads holiday.
Exactly one week after the split a Danish woman accused of getting close to Tommy speaks to The Sun. On Wednesday, August 21, she denies she is the girl who kissed Tommy.
The blonde beauty, who previously found herself at the heart of BBL rumours, beamed at the response from the series, as she added: “All I know is that it’s done really well. I can’t get over it.
“I’m so glad I made the decision to do it. The response has shown that it was worth it. I’m so happy.
Ever since the documentary has come out, I guess I do feel anxious with everything that I’m putting out
Molly-Mae
“I’m literally still on cloud nine, I still can’t really process it.
“It’s because of you guys that the documentary was possible.”
Celebrity PR Expert, Ed Hopkins told Fabulous: “I believe Molly-Mae Hague‘s new look is more than just a style change but a powerful statement of who she is becoming.
“It underscores her journey towards authenticity, maturity, and sophistication and is likely to enhance her success and influence in the years to come.”
Brand and Culture Expert Nick Ede agreed, and told Fabulous: “Molly-Mae has transformed herself into a yummy mummy who has ditched the glamour model style for a more relaxed and natural look.
“She’s becoming more down to earth and relatable to people and cleverly showing a softer side which will win her legions more fans in the process.”
According to Ed Hopkins, Molly-Mae’s chic new look could be “highly lucrative” for the star.
Ed told Fabulous: “Molly-Mae Hague’s transformation towards a more natural, chic look seems to be a testament to her personal growth and evolving style.
“This change, which has become more pronounced since she became a mother, appears to reflect her journey towards embracing authenticity and sophistication.
“It’s possible that this new image could be highly lucrative for Molly-Mae.
“Her chic, understated style might appeal to a wider audience, including more mature demographics and high-end brands, potentially opening up lucrative endorsement deals and partnerships.
“By adopting a more elegant look, she seems to align herself with premium and luxury brands that favour natural beauty and sophistication, which could lead to higher-paying collaborations.
“Additionally, with consumers increasingly valuing authenticity and natural beauty, her new image could be both timely and marketable.”
Nick Ede agreed and told Fabulous: “She has started to promote some really great luxury brands including the cosmetics brand Tatcha and with her laid back look she will make a lot of money from brands looking to align with her.”
Ed also noted that Molly-Mae’s transformation may be a sign that she is looking to step away from her reality show past.
He continued: “Molly-Mae’s transformation also seems to symbolise her desire even more so to well and truly step out of the shadow of her Love Island persona.
“The shift to a more mature and unique style appears to demonstrate her growth and her wish to be seen as an individual beyond her reality TV beginnings.
“By shedding the bold, flashy look associated with her time on Love Island, she might be rebranding herself as a serious businesswoman and influencer who is carving out her own identity.
“This new look helps her stand out in the crowded influencer market, showcasing her as a trendsetter with a distinctive, refined aesthetic.”
Nick agreed and claimed: “Shedding the flash looks she previously went for, she’s also detaching herself from the Love Island stereotype and stepping out as her own person with a cool look that’s not flashy but totally on trend.
“Gone are the ‘look at me’ posts and in are family style posts and trend led fashion statements.”
But despite this, the influencer, who has 1.9million subscribers on YouTube, drew attention to the change she has noticed amongst her fans, as she said: “As for the vlog, I’m really overthinking it.
“Ever since the documentary has come out, I guess I do feel anxious with everything that I’m putting out.”
After the star, who recently got emotional as she spoke after her first festive season as a single mother, told fans she will take the same picture 1,000 times and “still won’t like it”, she continued: “I keep getting messages like ‘since the documentary, I look at your stories and think – how many times did it take for her to take this picture?’.
“I don’t know why, people are picking things apart slightly more now.”
SELF-CONFESSED sex addict Romario has begun dating a woman three decades younger than him.
The football icon-turned politician won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and played for the likes of Barcelona.
But away from the pitch and political office, Romario, 59, is said to be getting serious with student Alicya Gomes.
Brazilian media say she is 29-years-old and therefore an astonishing 30 years younger than the former striker.
The pair reportedly met during last year’s municipal elections in Brazil.
They were first snapped together on a night out at Rock in Rio last October, when Romario took Alicya to watch Maria Carey.
They were also spotted enjoying more time together at his birthday bash two days later – where she was one of the 800 guests at the party.
Alicya recently made her Instagram private and she has 5,000 followers.
It has fuelled speculation that the couple have decided to try to keep their relationship out of the public eye as much as possible following the attention Romario’s previous flings with far younger women generated.
The legend was linked to a 34-year-old brunette called Maria Geusiane Santos in March last year, who he was said to have met during a night out in Rio de Janeiro around the time he turned 58.
They were photographed together on Rio’s picture-postcard Barra Beach, with the events promoter showing off her curves in a bikini.
Before getting close to Maria, Romario enjoyed a seven-month love affair with Marcelle Ceolin, an influencer 25 years his junior, who he introduced to some of his six children from his previous relationships.
Romario’s six children from different relationships include a son born from an extra-matrimonial affair with an actress while he was still with his second wife Daniele Favato.
He was branded “sex-mad” after revealing in May 2018 that he had recommended “lots of sex” to Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus ahead of that year’s World Cup.
In January 2022 he claimed sex was always “f*****g good” for him and he would sleep with his wife right before matches.
Writing for the Players’ Tribune he said: “Sometimes on match day I would stay at home, away from the rest of the team. If I’d wake up horny, I’d have sex with my wife and then go to the game.
“On the pitch, it made me feel calmer and lighter.”
Romario whisked Marcelle off to the Atlantic Ocean paradise of Fernando de Noronha 220 miles off Brazil’s north-east coast weeks after they started dating.
She let her new man film her as a giant wave washed over her in a salt-water pool by a glorious white sand beach.
The influencer went on to admit her “soul was happy” as they lapped up the archipelago’s fantastic views.
Brazilian outlet Extra reported in August 2022 she had moved out of Romario’s home on the outskirts of Rio and had headed back to her native city of Bage in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The retired footballer started a political career in 2010 when he was elected as an MP for the Brazilian Socialist Party, going on to become a senator four years ago.
