UK - Nikki Allan, 7, brutally murdered, Sunderland, 7 Oct 1992 *arrest in 2014*

[Honeybirdette]

Closing speech to jurors​

In his closing speech to jurors, Richard Wright KC said the killer had dumped her body "like a sack of rubbish" in the most distant room of the derelict building after something "sinister" happened outside, where Nikki's shoe and coat came off.

Mr Wright said: "Something happened to her outside the building when she was out of view and had been taken to the wasteground. Whatever it was, isn't it an irresistible, sensible conclusion it was sinister.

"She had not been taken there to admire the grounds of the Old Exchange building. That sinister thing led to the man hitting her and cutting her mouth with a slap or punch before she went into the building.

"So before she went into that building she was scared and she was injured and she was bleeding because that man had done something to her to scare her and something to necessitate him hitting her, perhaps to silence that first scream but certainly because something had happened between them to lose her shoe and lose her coat and to be bleeding."

"No more skipping along, no more happy to be there. Scared, frightened and bleeding and the last place that a scared, frightened and bleeding seven-year-old girl would want to go to, the very last place was through that window, a gap in the window this little girl could not have reached on her own."

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Honeybirdette]

Jurors "can be sure Boyd is the killer"​

Mr Wright said jurors "can be sure" Boyd is the killer. He added: "He may not have the courage to take the walk from the dock into the witness box but he is the man who took the walk from the outside of The Boar's Head down and over the wall and into the Old Exchange building when he murdered NIkki Allan on October 7 1992.

"From the moment he did something to her and and hit her he just couldn't let her go because what would she do. She would tell her mum.

"So he put her through the window, climbed in after her, stalked her to the end room, crushed her skull with a brick, pulled up her top and exposed her chest and stabbed her again and again and again.

"Then he dragged her to the cellar with her head bouncing off every step as he went and he hid her where, no doubt, he thought there was the best chance she would not be found."

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[JerseyGirl]

Nikki Allan trial: Murdered girl was 'dumped like rubbish'

David Boyd denies murdering Nikki Allan, seven, who was found dead in a derelict building in 1992.

www.bbc.com

 

[Honeybirdette]

Defence makes closing speech to jurors​

Jason Pitter KC, who represents Boyd, is making his closing speech to jurors.

Defence agree with prosecution on two things​

Jason Pitter KC, said:

"There are two things we agree with the prosecution about. We agree this is a truly awful case. We recognise Nikki Allan died in horrible circumstances which, if we are human, will evoke powerful emotions, particularly of sympathy."

Jurors must place emotions to one side says Mr Pitter​

Mr Pitter said jurors must place emotions to one side "because they don't help you in this case, what they do, in fact, is potentially cloud your judgement".

He added:

"There are aspects of David Boyd's history that will have no doubt appalled you. That's understandable but that must not stray into prejudice.
"The details of those previous matters don't help you to decide the real issue in this case, we say - was it him?"

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Honeybirdette]

'Blinkered approach ignores the complete body of evidence' says Mr Pitter​

Referring to prosecutors saying police back in the 90s adopted a blinkered approach in charging an innocent man - George Heron - with Nikki's murder, Mr Pitter said:

"The second area we agree with the prosecution is an acceptance they have adopted something of a blinkered approach. They said that stopped after the acquittal of George Heron.

"We say the blinkers have very much stayed on but the blinkered gaze has shifted, this time to David Boyd. We say such a blinkered approach ignores the complete body of evidence.

"We say you should reach the conclusion it was somebody else and if that might be right, David Boyd is not guilty. We say the blinkers remain on."

Mr Pitter tells jurors to 'follow your own assessment'​

Mr Pitter added:

"When the prosecution say, with force and the attractive charm of Mr Wright, you can be sure David Boyd was the man who took her into the Old Exchange building. You can be sure that's not the first time that assertion has been made - the difference then is it was in respect of George Heron.
"It highlights how careful you have to be and that kind of assertion, attractively packaged as it might be. Just because they say it could, doesn't mean they are right. You have to follow your own assessment.
"You have to ask yourself are you sure it was him because that's what this case is about.
"This case is based on entirely circumstantial evidence."

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Honeybirdette]

Boyd 'at a serious disadvantage' when it comes to recollecting details says defence​

Mr Pitter added:

"It's not for him after all these years to prove his case that it was not him. He is disarmed by the passage of time and therefore at a serious disadvantage when it comes to recollecting precise details and the possibility to get evidence to prove it was not him, if he was able to get it.

Evidence 'which might have helped' Boyd's case not available​

Mr Pitter continued:

"Evidence he was at home, perhaps - did someone see him there - well he can't check that. Evidence he went to the fish and chip shop, CCTV, which is not available now.
"Evidence he went to do community service the following day and that's why Terry told him to go to bed. Those things are not available, which might have helped his case."

Mr Pitter urges jurors to 'take off the blinkers'​

Mr Pitter continued:

"It's for the prosecution to make you sure the strands of evidence and inferences are not just reasonable, don't just create the suspicion, but prove so you are sure he is the killer of Nikki Allan. Absence the nudges and winks and theorising, they must eradicate the doubt, the possibility, it might have been someone else.
"You have to decide whether it was him. Whether you are sure it was him - not probably, not likely, not suspect, not any of those. And if it is any of those things, he is not guilty.
"And we urge you to take off the blinkers and reach that conclusion."

Defence speech comes to a close​

Mr Pitter has concluded his speech and trial judge Mrs Justice Lambert will begin to sum up the case to jurors this afternoon.

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Honeybirdette]

From the above quoted post;

Evidence he was at home, perhaps - did someone see him there - well he can't check that. Evidence he went to the fish and chip shop, CCTV, which is not available now.
"Evidence he went to do community service the following day and that's why Terry told him to go to bed. Those things are not available, which might have helped his case."

I’m annoyed this trial wasn’t throughly documented by journalists. I feel there is so much we missed out on.
All we heard was Boyd’s witness statement he gave to police in 1992, he had said he was at home looking after “little Colin” who was his girlfriends son on the night nikki went missing.
He said he had went to terry Clark’s house at 9.30pm and went to the chip shop for him, getting home for 10pm. He said he stayed at home until 11pm when Terry clark asked him to babysit his son whilst he went out looking for Nikki.

His alibi could easily be proved or disproved…. Did the court not hear from colin and terry to see if they agreed with Boyd’s version of events? I feel like we’ve missed so much information here

 

[Honeybirdette]

The jury has reached a verdict​

The judge asks members of the public to remain silent while the verdict is taken.

David Boyd is found GUILTY of murdering Nikki Allan​

David Boyd has been found guilty of the murder of Nikki Allan.

Judge orders gallery to be cleared​

There are shouts of “yes” and “thank you” from the gallery as it is cleared.

Boyd stares at public gallery as it clears​

Boyd, wearing a white t-shirt with heavily tattooed arms, is staring from the dock towards the public gallery.

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Honeybirdette]

Judge apologises to the jury for disturbance​

The judge apologises to the jury for the loud disturbance. She said:

“Members of the jury I’m sorry about that. I’m sure you understand it but it doesn’t make life any easier and I’m sorry. It’s not been an easy case for a whole host of reasons, I quite understand that.”

Judge reveals bid to have sentencing televised​

The judge says there is a bid to have the sentencing hearing televised.

Sentencing announced for May 23​

Boyd is told he will be sentenced on May 23, before being led away to custody.
The jury are asked to go with the usher.

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Honeybirdette]

Assistant Chief Constable dubs case 'one of the most complex and comprehensive'​

Assistant Chief Constable Brad Howe, of Northumbria Police, said:

“Today is about justice – for Nikki and her family. We thank them for their patience and strength over the last 30 years and our thoughts very much continue to be with them.
"David Boyd hid his crime, lying about his involvement and prolonging the family’s suffering, knowing all along that he had taken the life of their little girl. The investigation into Nikki’s murder has been one of the most complex and comprehensive ever conducted by Northumbria Police."

Assistant Chief Constable 'extremely proud' of his investigative team​

Mr Howe, continued:

“I’m extremely proud of the investigative team and all those who played their part in securing this conviction. I further hope this sends a strong message that no matter how long ago an offence took place, we will do everything we can to see justice served.”

Senior investigating officer says family finally have justice after 30 years​

Detective Chief Superintendent Lisa Theaker, the senior investigating officer in the case, added:

"Nikki would have been 37 now and who knows what her life could have been. But her future was cruelly taken away her by David Boyd. The pain and suffering that he has caused, and to so many people, is immeasurable.
“This is a huge day for Nikki’s family. I would like to thank them for their incredible strength – after 30 years, they have justice. Since 2017, as an investigative team, we have worked tirelessly on what has been a complex and challenging case. Our commitment has always been to find the person responsible and ensure they were brought to justice.
"New forensic techniques were a key part in this investigation, and we have been supported by incredible experts, witnesses and specialists who have helped us discover and prove who was responsible."

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Honeybirdette]

Northumbria Police release mugshot of David Boyd​

Northumbria Police have released a mugshot of David Boyd, who has been found guilty of the murder of schoolgirl Nikki Allan in 1992.

Nikki Allan murder trial LIVE: Jury shown footage of Boyd's arrest

Stockton man David Boyd has denied the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan, whose body was found in an abandoned building in October 1992

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Nikki Allan’s family never gave up their fight to see justice done after the youngster was lured to her brutal death in a derelict warehouse 300 yards from their home in Sunderland’s East End in 1992.

After a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, neighbour David Boyd, 55, was found guilty of murdering Nikki, who was attacked with a brick and stabbed 37 times in the chest, before dumping her – dead or dying – in the basement of the old Exchange building.

Cries of “yes” and “you *advertiser censored*” could be heard in the public gallery family members hugged and shouted in jubilation as the verdict came in.

Mrs Justice Lambert had asked for quiet when it was returned and she had to have the public gallery cleared.

Nikki’s sister Stacey Allan shouted “yes, thank you” as she left court.

Babysitter’s boyfriend guilty of murdering girl who ‘skipped to her death’

Seven-year-old Nikki Allan’s family never gave up their fight to see justice done.

uk.news.yahoo.com

 

[Honeybirdette]

Paedophile who murdered seven-year-old Nikki Allan in 1992 is guilty


Paedophile who murdered seven-year-old Nikki Allan in 1992 is guilty


Some of his police interviews have been released in the above article.

 

[Penny68]

If only the UK had the death penalty on the table, he sure well fits the bill for it to be reinstated. Unfortunately that is not to be.

The death penalty is not legal in the UK. The UK abolished the death penalty in 1965 for most cases and following changes in the law in 1998 and 2002, capital punishment was ended completely even during times of war. There are no crimes punishable by death in the UK.

 

[Teignmouth 22]

Rest in peace Nikki. Justice at last.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Long time coming.

 

[ColourPurple]

"Throughout the trial that has finally seen the truth of what happened that dark October night in 1992 revealed, Ms Henderson, 56, appeared an emotional wreck.

Supported by friends and family, she tried to listen to the evidence but was often forced to leave the court in tears.

She has made no secret of her alcohol and mental health problems, triggered by the crime and her resulting obsession that the killer must be caught."

Oh bless her!

Paedophile who murdered seven-year-old Nikki Allan in 1992 is guilty

The mother of a seven-year-old girl whose killer escaped justice for three decades questioned how police could have possibly missed him - as he was today found guilty of her murder.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

Nikki Allan murder: David Boyd guilty of killing Sunderland girl​

A convicted child abuser has been found guilty of brutally murdering a seven-year-old girl more than 30 years ago.

Nikki Allan was repeatedly hit with a brick and stabbed dozens of times before her body was abandoned in a derelict building near her home in Sunderland in October 1992.

David Boyd, 55, from Stockton-on-Tees, was convicted at Newcastle Crown Court after a three-week trial.

Nikki's mother said the "evil man" had "slipped through the net" for decades.

He will be sentenced on 23 May.

[...]

Outside court, Nikki's mother Sharon Henderson, who campaigned tirelessly to keep her daughter's case in the public consciousness, spoke of the "injustice" her family had lived with for three decades. [...] Asked how she had managed to keep fighting for justice, she replied: "Because Nikki's my daughter and I love her."

Nikki Allan murder: David Boyd guilty of killing Sunderland girl

David Boyd lured seven-year-old Nikki Allan to a derelict building where he beat and stabbed her.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

Nikki Allan: A mother's 30-year search for her daughter's killer​

The BBC spoke to Nikki's mum Sharon about her 30-year fight for justice.


Sharon tried to track down the movements of everyone who lived in the Wear Garth flats


Nikki and David Boyd lived at Wear Garth (rectangle) and he killed her at the Old Exchange (circled)



Nikki Allan was killed just 300 yards from her home

Nikki Allan: A mother's 30-year search for her daughter's killer

Nikki Allan was lured to a brutal death in 1992, since that day her mother has searched for justice.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

‘Nothing mattered more’: Nikki Allan mother’s 31-year fight for justice​

Sharon Henderson’s campaign to see her daughter’s killer jailed has come at great personal cost

For Sharon Henderson, bringing the killer of her daughter Nikki Allan to justice has been an all-consuming, personally ruinous three-decade mission. “While there was still breath in my body, I would never have stopped until the man who killed Nikki was found,” she said.

“Nothing mattered more in my life than seeing justice for her. Over these 30 years, I have been through hell. I’ve fought against problems with alcohol and I’ve been sectioned in a psychiatric hospital. But I knew I’d get him, one way or another, however long it took … I’d see him locked up.”

‘Nothing mattered more’: Nikki Allan mother’s 31-year fight for justice

Sharon Henderson’s campaign to see her daughter’s killer jailed has come at great personal cost

www.theguardian.com