Crime Next Door

As police put out a renewed appeal, we question whether long ignored patterns of sexual violence raise the possibility of a serial offender and whether Diane’s killer could have been stopped. We are also reminded that Diane Sindall’s murder is not just about the past as we visit a vigil for victims of violence against women. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kate Bissell, Gemma Maull and Olivia...

A Geographical Profiler looks at the two locations connected to Diane Sindall’s murder. It’s suggested that Diane’s killer was local and may have struck before. As new testimony suggests Diane may not have been attacked in the alleyway and emerging accounts name a local figure, the investigation edges closer to a new suspect. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kate Bissell, Gemma Maull and Olivi...

Returning to Birkenhead in the wake of Peter Sullivan’s release, we focus on Diane Sindall and the community still living with her murder. Peter shares details of his arrest, interviews and alleged police pressure, alongside renewed police enquiries that revisit overlooked witnesses and potential suspects. As officers collect fresh DNA and old memories resurface, the search begins anew for the man...

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 Mus...

Years after Peter Sullivan’s conviction, community whispers claim the police convicted the wrong man. Peter refuses to admit guilt and as advances in DNA testing offer a possible breakthrough for him. His legal team battle missing records, discredited forensic methods and a system reisitant to reopening old wounds. Until one crucial test changes everything. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kat...

Diane Sindall’s murder ignites a movement with women across Birkenhead. Fueled by anger and grief they challenge police attitudes, confront society’s view of women and demand change. Against this backdrop Peter Sullivan stands trial. We examine the case built against him with contested confessions, disputed forensic evidence and testimony the jury never heard. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers:...

The hunt for Diane Sindall’s killer uncovers another victim who was dressed in yellow and attacked near the scene on the same night, raising fears of a serial attacker in Birkenhead. A police appeal focuses on the mysterious “woman in yellow”. As the investigation continues, the police uncover more attacks on women in the area and frustrations grow as leads collapse. Meanwhile, details of Diane’s...

In 1986, Diane Sindall leaves work to drive home but never arrives. What happened that night marks the start of a decades long unsolved case. Through testimony from those who knew her and those who encountered the crime scene, we look at Diane’s final movements, the violent nature of her attack and the growing fear gripping Birkenhead, a town on the Wirral in Merseyside. As we find out more, troub...

The murder of Diane Sindall in Birkenhead, Merseyside led to Britain’s longest miscarriage of justice when local man Peter Sullivan's conviction collapsed after 38 years. This series returns to the streets, alleyways and estates of Birkenhead where it all happened, retracing Diane’s final movements. Follow through eyewitness testimony, unheard accounts and modern forensic science as we uncover how...

With the crime apparently solved, one unanswered question continues to hang over the village - and everyone connected to the case - a quarter of a century on. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Pre-production research: Jess Gunasekara Legal advice: Clare Hoban. Mus...

As journalists get a first glimpse of the accused in court, they face strict secrecy around reporting his identity. Meanwhile, detectives face a reckoning – will the case hold up? Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike...

With a prime suspect no-one ever expected, detectives race against time to uncover the truth behind his unassuming appearance – and secure the evidence that could prove his guilt. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike...

As police make an appeal for information on primetime TV, a phone call promises to unlock the entire case. The tip-off leads detectives somewhere they could have never expected. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike Wo...

As Christmas approaches, the village is left reeling by a new death in their midst. As the rumour mill goes into overdrive, a ghostly piece of evidence appears before police eyes. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike...

Fear spreads as the village realises what might be walking among them. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike Woolley Series Producer: Steven Rajam An Overcoat Media production for BBC Sounds

An elderly woman is murdered in her own living room – and nothing about it makes sense. In the days after Mabel’s murder, fear takes hold as the village wonders if something uncanny is still among them. Then, just metres from the crime scene, there’s a shocking turn. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Man...

How a brutal, occult-tinged murder shook a Welsh village to its core.

The family of Tony Parsons waited three years for answers on what happened to him. Now they face a longer wait - for justice. Prosecutors face a difficult decision - is this simply a case of dangerous driving? Or could the suspects face trial for murder? This episode includes exclusive access to the prosecutor tasked with making that decision, as well as advocates for the defence, as the case reac...

Having new information is one thing. Finding out if it's true - is quite another! Armed with new evidence, police recruit specialist help to find the body of Tony Parsons. This episode hears how experts analysed the land - found clues in the soil - and launched an intricate operation to try and locate Tony Parsons. Presented by Jane MacSorley. Produced by Firecrest Films.

Missing Persons cases are never closed. In the case of Tony Parsons - the active search had ceased. But officers were ready to revisit the case if ever new information came to light. So when a phone call came in, making an extraordinary claim to know exactly what happened to Tony, officers responded immediately. This episode tells the story of that phone call, and the police response. Could the cl...

The search for Tony Parsons is extensive. It's painstaking. And it's fruitless. But there are signs that they're inching closer to finding out what happened, and where he is. Officers discover a last sighting, and use CCTV to narrow down Tony's progress. Do the answers lay in a small stretch of the Highland route, which police have already searched? Presented by Jane MacSorley. Produced by Firecre...

Tony Parsons didn't know how long his cycle ride would take. It might be one day. it could be three. All his family knew was that he'd come back through the door before too long. So when he didn't, they began to worry. This episode tells the story of their immediate search... an agonising journey along his planned route, looking for any sign of Tony taking shelter. And we hear how a phone call to...

When Tony Parsons announced that he had a new idea to raise some money it raised few eyebrows. He'd already walked the Highland Way, and Hadrian's Wall. But this time, he wanted to do something different... a cycle ride...through the Highlands of Scotland and all the way home. It was a challenge which would test his resolve, and his endurance - but one he was sure he could complete, how ever long...

When Tony Parsons set off for a charity cycle ride through the highlands of Scotland - his family assumed he would return with tales to tell. But Tony Parsons never came back. How could someone vanish on a busy road, with no trace of what happened? This series tells the story of Tony's final journey, and the exhaustive search for answers. With exclusive access to his family, and the team from Poli...

The monster becomes a man, British policing is changed forever and deposed Detective Bob Booth has a final shot at redemption in the Lesley Whittle case. Hear a chilling account of heroic acts and the actual voice of 'The Black Panther'. Presenter: Susan Hanks. Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell. Sounds Producer: Rob Howell. Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Execut...