The police initially suspected a local man, but he was later cleared of any involvement. The case remained unsolved for over 40 years, until 2003 when DNA evidence led to the arrest of Peter Dinsdale, a 53-year-old man from Chippenham. Dinsdale was a former neighbor of the Liddicoat family, and he had previously been convicted of indecent assault. He was found guilty of Pamela's murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2004.
The case of Pamela Liddicoat's murder had a profound impact on the town of Chippenham. It was one of the first murders of a child in the UK to receive nationwide attention, and it led to a number of changes in the way that the police investigate child murders. The case also highlighted the importance of DNA evidence in solving crimes.