The Beast of Birkenhead: 5. Unknown Male One

The Beast of Birkenhead: 5. Unknown Male One

From Crime Next Door by BBC Sounds

May 18, 2026 · 28 min · Season 12 · Episode 6

About this episode

The episode discusses the appeal of Peter Sullivan and the implications of new DNA evidence in an unsolved murder case.

Recorded on the day of Peter Sullivan’s appeal as judges consider DNA evidence unavailable in 1987. As the new evidence points to an unknown male, decades-old evidence crumbles under scrutiny. The court delivers its decision leaving one devastating truth intact: Diane’s killer has not been found. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kate Bissell, Gemma Maull and Olivia Graham. Sound Design and Music Composition: Phil Channell. Mixing: Ivan Eastley. Story Consultants: Neil McCarthy, Jack Kibble-White and Kirsty Williams. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Development was by BBC Audio Scotland and BBC Merseyside. Executive Editors: Gillian Wheelan and Ben Anderson. Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. There’s graphic descriptions of violence in this series. For details of help and support in the UK, visit bbc.co.uk/actionline.

People in this episode

Host: Olivia Graham

Topics covered

  • DNA evidence
  • true crime
  • court appeal
  • unsolved murder
  • violence
  • justice system

Keywords

  • Peter Sullivan
  • Diane
  • DNA evidence
  • court decision
  • unsolved murder
  • true crime
  • violence
  • justice

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Audio Scotland, BBC Merseyside

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