Nikki Allan, 7, was found dead in an abandoned warehouse after David Boyd stabbed her 37 times and crushed her skull
SHOCKING photos show the inside of an abandoned building where a seven-year-old girl was found dead after being stabbed 37 times by a sex offender.
Nikki Allan’s family never gave up their fight to catch their killer after the teen was lured to his death in an abandoned warehouse 300 meters from their home sunderland‘s East End in 1992.
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Now neighbor David Boyd was found guilty of Nikki’s murderafter a process newcastle Crown Court – a ruling welcomed by police, who have released images of the crime scene as well as footage of the moment The sighing killer was eventually captured.
Boyd, Nikki’s babysitter’s boyfriend, attacked the girl with a brick and stabbed her 37 times in the chest before throwing her into the basement of the Quayside Old Exchange building.
Her shoes and coat were discovered outside the abandoned warehouse the next day – before her body was discovered inside in the basement.
Her blood was discovered outside the only access point, a boarded-up window about two meters off the ground.
Investigators believe Boyd punched Nikki outside the building, then lifted her inside and carried out the attack, leaving DNA evidence on her clothing.
Pictures taken at the time and now released by police show crumbling brickwork, boarded-up windows and scrawls on damaged walls inside the warehouse.
Northumbria Police initially pursued the wrong man, George Heron, who was acquitted after a trial in 1993.
Discussing the latest indictment, Richard Wright KC told the court that Boyd knew Nikki’s family and lived on the same block.
Nikki had been out with friends on the evening of October 7, 1992, and a woman told police she saw a little girl walking around with a man now known to be called Boyd.
Mr Wright said: “The little girl occasionally fell behind and then hopped to catch up.”
“That was Nikki Allan. She was with her killer and unwittingly jumped to her death.”
Boyd, who was 25 at the time of the murder and now from Stockton in Teesside, denied murder but refused to take the witness stand to testify.
Prosecutors said Nikki must have known her killer was following him willingly – and grainy surveillance video footage showed a male adult being followed by a child.
Locals told police they heard piercing screams the night Nikki was killed.
And the tight-knit community helped officers who conducted an overnight search when the schoolgirl was found missing.
Seven years later, Boyd indecently assaulted a nine-year-old girl in a Teesside park.
He was convicted of trespassing in 1986 after asking an underage girl for a kiss.
He told his parole officer that he had dreams about naked “young girls.”
In 2017, advances in DNA techniques allowed police to re-examine Nikki’s case and take samples from her clothing.
Tests found a 1:28,000 match of Boyd – or a male relative of his – on the clothing “in multiple places,” jurors learned.
Police were then able to go back and demand a DNA test from the man they considered a mere witness 31 years ago.
Boyd was arrested on suspicion of murder in 2018 and charged last year after a thorough investigation, which at the time included DNA testing of 839 men linked to the area, ruled her out.
After the three-week trial and guilty verdict, police paid tribute to Nikki, praising her family’s “incredible strength” and thanking the men who came forward to provide DNA to finally trap Boyd.
Northumbria Police not only released photos from inside the crime scene after it was cordoned off following Nikki’s discovery.
They also released video of the moment Boyd was finally arrested on suspicion of murder at his home on April 17, 2018.
He was shirtless when he opened the door for officers before carrying his dog upstairs, while they assured him they would tell him why they were there shortly.
Boyd can be heard sighing repeatedly after being told he’s being arrested in connection with Nikki’s death, while emphasizing, “I wasn’t involved.”
After being handcuffed and asking, “What about my dog?” he then adds, “What evidence do you have anyway?”
Deputy Chief Constable Brad Howe of Northumbria Police said after his sentencing: “Today is about justice – for Nikki and her family.
“We thank them for their patience and strength over the past 30 years and our thoughts continue to be with them.
“David Boyd hid his crime, lied about his involvement, and prolonged the family’s suffering even though he knew all along that he had taken their little girl’s life.
“The investigation into Nikki’s murder was one of the most complex and comprehensive that Northumbria Police have ever undertaken.
“I am extremely proud of the investigative team and everyone who played their part in obtaining this conviction.
“I also hope that this is a strong signal that no matter how long ago an offense occurred, we will do everything we can to ensure justice is done.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Lisa Theaker, the lead investigator in the case, added, “Nikki would have been 37 years old now and who knows what her life might have been like.”
“But her future was cruelly taken from her by David Boyd. The pain and suffering he has caused so many people is immeasurable.
“This is a big day for Nikki’s family. I want to thank them for their incredible strength – after 30 years they have justice.
“Since 2017, we have worked tirelessly as a team of investigators on a complex and challenging case. Our aim has always been to find the person responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice.
“New forensic techniques played a key role in this investigation and we were assisted by incredible experts, witnesses and specialists who helped us identify and prove who was responsible.”
She added: “Sunderland residents have also done their part to achieve justice for Nikki and her family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who assisted in our investigation and provided their DNA for elimination.
“Without their help, today’s sentencing would not have been possible.”
Christopher Atkinson, Head of Complex Casework at CPS North East, said: “Thirty years ago, David Boyd took the life of Nikki Allan, a seven-year-old girl who knew and trusted him.
“Despite the unimaginable grief Nikki’s family endured, Boyd continued to pretend he was not involved in the murder for 30 years.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked very closely with the Northumbria Police investigation team to build a solid case against him.
“We carefully assembled all available evidence to prove to the jury’s satisfaction that the only person who could possibly have killed Nikki Allan was David Boyd.
“Our thoughts remain with Nikki’s family as this must be an incredibly difficult time.
“We sincerely hope that this trial has provided them with some of the answers they have been searching for since Nikki’s death and that they can find some measure of comfort that their killer has finally been brought to justice.”
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