Trial of man accused of murdering Sunderland girl 30 years ago starts today

Nikki Allan died in 1992 aged 7 years old.

Nikki Allan Family Photo
Author: Micky WelchPublished 20th Apr 2023
Last updated 20th Apr 2023

Over 30 years on from the death of a 7 year old Sunderland girl a trial for the man accused of murder starts today (Thurs 20th April).

Nikki Allan was found dead near her home in October 1992 in a derelict building in Wear Garth.

David Boyd, also known as Smith and Bell, 55, of Chesterton Court, Stockton, Teesside, denies murder.

On Wednesday (19th April), Mrs Justice Lambert gave a large panel of potential jurors an outline ahead of the final selection jury selection, which is still to take place.

She told them: "This case concerns the murder of a seven-year-old girl.

"The name of that seven-year-old girl is Nikki Allan.

Nikki Allan Family Photo

"The murder took place in the Hendon area of Sunderland, a long time ago, in 1992."

The panel of potential jurors was read a list of witnesses or people whose names may be mentioned during the trial.

Included in the list was the name of George Heron, and potential jurors were told he was prosecuted for Nikki's murder in 1993 at Leeds Crown Court.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.