A man has been charged with the murder of Nikki Allan, the seven-year-old girl found dead in a derelict building 30 years ago.
Nikki was brutally stabbed to death 37 times and beaten with a brick by her attacker after she left the flat in the Wear Garth area of Sunderland in October 1992 to walk just 150 yards to her home.
Her body was found inside the Old Exchange Building a few hundred yards the next day, after her shoes were spotted outside.
Nikki’s alleged murderer David Thomas Boyd, 54, appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court earlier today and was remanded in custody. He is due at Newcastle Crown Court tomorrow.
Prosecutor Niamh Reading told the hearing: ‘Because of the nature of this offence, it can only be heard at the crown court.’
In 1993, George Heron stood trial for Nikki’s murder, but was cleared by a jury at Leeds Crown Court.
Then in 2014, Sunderland serial killer Steven Grieveson was arrested and questioned on suspicion of Nikki’s murder. But he was released without charge and told he would face no action.
In April 2018, Northumbria Police arrested a former neighbour of Nikki’s grandfather in Wear Garth on suspicion of her murder. His flat in Thornaby, Stockton on Tees, was searched and items taken for examination as police announced he was a suspect in Nikki’s case.
Crimestoppers offered a reward of up to £10,000 for anyone with information which leads to the conviction of Nikki’s killer.
Assistant Chief Constable David Felton, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘This is an extremely tragic case and our thoughts very much continue to be with the family and friends of Nikki Allan.
‘A significant investigation has been ongoing ever since Nikki’s death 30 years ago. As with any unsolved cases of this nature, they are never closed.
‘Our dedicated teams constantly review the evidence and follow any new investigative leads that may come to light.
‘I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Nikki’s family for their patience and cooperation and we will continue to offer them any support they may need.’
The Crown Prosecution said in a statement: ‘Following the review of a file of evidence submitted by Northumbria Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised police to lay information in order to obtain a Magistrates’ Court warrant for the arrest of a man, in relation to the death of Nikki Allan in the East End of Sunderland in 1992.
‘The information alleges that David Thomas Boyd (aka David Smith/David Bell), 54, of Chesterton Court, Norton, County Durham is responsible for the murder of Nikki Allan.
‘David Boyd appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court this morning and will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court tomorrow (24/5) at 10am.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against David Boyd are now active and that he has a right to a fair trial.’