Latest news with #JoWood
The Independent
15-05-2025
- The Independent
Locals said they knew who actually killed Diane Sindall, says charity worker
The real killer of a Wirral florist murdered in 1986 was known by 'everyone' in the community, workers at a charity set up after her death were told. Peter Sullivan, 68, was convicted of the murder of Diane Sindall, 21, in 1987, but on Tuesday three senior judges quashed his conviction after the Court of Appeal heard DNA evidence showed the killer was someone else. The murder, which happened when Miss Sindall was walking through Birkenhead in the early hours of August 2 1986, was a catalyst for women to set up the Wirral Rape Crisis Counselling Service, which still operates today as Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside. Jo Wood, who has worked for the charity for 21 years, told the PA news agency: 'We had been told countless times they had got the wrong person, but without any evidence what could we do? 'It was general gossip. There was one particular event when we were in a pub for a leaving do, it must have been eight years ago, and a young woman approached me. 'She said, 'the one that got locked up, we all know it was the wrong fella. Everyone knows who it is'.' Ms Wood said the woman then disappeared and gave no more information. She added: 'There have been lots of undercurrents for years from people who potentially have suspicions of who it was. 'No one's ever been able to come forward and we haven't got a name – I wish somebody would just give us a name. 'Now we have got the DNA sample they can be cleared or otherwise, I just wish police could have something to go on because they're starting again.' She said, at the time, communities were 'almost tribal' within estates in the area and it could have been difficult for people to come forward. She added: 'It's been nearly 40 years. People's consciences must prick them. 'The person who has done this, if they're still living, must be having real sleepless nights.' Managers at RASA were told last November that Mr Sullivan's appeal was likely to be successful, Ms Wood said. She said: 'Diane has always been part of what we do. When police told us they thought the appeal was going to win I just felt like somebody had hit me in the forehead. 'It felt an utter letdown.' Ms Wood said anyone with information who did not feel able to go to the police could contact the charity. She added: 'Somebody out there knows who has done this, it's not something you can keep a secret.' People were now left wondering if the killer was still walking the streets, she said. She added: 'One woman said to me, 'we felt safe for 40 years because we thought he was locked up'.' Merseyside Police reopened the investigation into Miss Sindall's murder in 2023. No match has been found for the DNA profile from the scene which led to Mr Sullivan's successful appeal. The force has urged anyone with information to come forward by contacting them on 101, quoting incident reference 23000584997, via the website or social media, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Rural parts of Cumbria included in government broadband scheme
People living in rural areas have welcomed the news they will get ultra-fast broadband under a government contract, after months of of parishes near Appleby, in Cumbria, which missed out on high-speed internet in 2023, would soon have access to full-fibre broadband, provider Fibrus of Appleby Golf Club Jo Wood said it was exciting for the business but frustrating that it could have been delivered said it was on course to connect 53,000 rural properties in Cumbria by the end of 2027. Mrs Wood said the current broadband at the golf club in the parish of Murton, near Appleby, was "hit and miss" and sometimes caused problems with card payments."We have to write down any transaction that we make during that time and input it, which can be quite time-consuming," she Wood said a better internet connection would allow the club to invest in digital signage, allowing golfers to input live scores. Fibrus is delivering the government's Project Gigabit in Cumbria, which uses government subsidy to bring full-fibre broadband to parts of the country that are hard to government previously said the project would serve 60,000 properties in Cumbria, but Fibrus said some of those had not been confirmed and the total would now come to 53, chairman of Murton Parish Council John McDarren has campaigned for the area to get better broadband, and said he was still "sceptical" and wanted to ensure all the properties in the parish would be said the area was on the verge of getting high-speed broadband through a different provider in 2023 under a government voucher scheme, but the project was cancelled. Rural areas 'missing out' The Project Gigabit contract in Cumbria was previously due to be completed by the end of 2026, but has been put back to and founder of Fibrus Conal Henry said the company was "very focused" on delivering the new he said rural areas not subsidised by the government were missing out on investment because of high charges levied by Openreach to use its infrastructure for fibre-optic said the cost was "20 times as high" in rural areas, because homes were further apart and rental payments for using Openreach ducts and poles were charged by the metre. The cost is set by telecoms regulator Ofcom and is currently being reviewed. Mr Henry said halving the fees would free up cash to invest in rural said its prices were "cheap as chips" and that "operators underpay based on a fair allocation of costs".The company, which is owned by BT, must allow other companies to use its network because much of it was built when BT was a publicly owned Ofcom spokesperson said: "We want to continue allowing competitors to use this infrastructure." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
