Trial of Stockton man accused of murdering Sunderland girl starts today
Nikki Allan died in 1992 aged 7 years old.
Last updated 20th Apr 2023
Over 30 years on from the death of a 7 year old Sunderland girl a trial for the Stockton 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.
"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.