live from london. this is bbc news. pakistan's former prime minister — imran khan — is released from custody — what next for the country, after days of violent unrest. thousands of migrants gather near the us border — after new rules are brought in. the wave of strikes continue in the uk — as rail workers start — 48 hours of industiral action. and countdown to the eurovision final — we're with the uk entry, as the excitment builds in liverpool.

hello and welcome. we start the programme with breaking news, a man in the uk has been found guilty of murdering a seven year old girl more than thirty years ago. the body of nikki allen was found in sunderland in 1992. david boyd denied being responsible but refused to give evidence at his trial. live now to danny savage outside newcastle crown court. danny, tell us more. this is one of the most notorious _ danny, tell us more. this is one of the most notorious crimes - danny, tell us more. this is one of the most notorious crimes of - danny, tell us more. this is one of the most notorious crimes of this i the most notorious crimes of this part of the uk which has remained unsolved for more than three decades. today, that terrible weight that her family have had for 30 years finally came to an end. he was 25 years old at the time when she went missing back in 1992 in sunderland. in the last few minutes,

he has been convicted at newcastle crown court. this can be described as bedlam in the crowded courtroom here as the verdict was delivered after all these years. there was shouting and screaming from the family and the police had to come in at one stage to move people out of the court. nikki allan's mother has just come down the steps in the last few minutes, deeply upset, in tears, wondering for all these years whether she would see justice her for daughter and in interviews with us, she said that was the day her life changed forever back in 1992. nikki allan was a shy, in seven—year—old little girl who lived in a flat in sunderland and the man who killed her lived on the third floor above her. she lived with her family on the ground floor. she was last seen that day skipping after a man and never seen again until her body was found the following day by

some volunteers looking for her. her body was found nearby in a derelict building. we know now that that man was david boyd, 55 years old, convicted here this afternoon. to cut a long story short, there was another man accused of nikki allan's murder back in 1992 who stood trial who was cleared much to great consternation at the time. that man was cleared but thatjury back in 1990 were correct, that man did not kill nikki allan. the actual killer david boyd thought he got away with it. , ., , u, , , , david boyd thought he got away with it. tell us more because this is one of those what _ it. tell us more because this is one of those what police _ it. tell us more because this is one of those what police call _ it. tell us more because this is one of those what police call cold - it. tell us more because this is one of those what police call cold casesj of those what police call cold cases that at different stages they returned to. what turned out to be the crucial breakthrough here? the

crucial the crucial breakthrough here? tue: crucial breakthrough the crucial breakthrough here? tte: crucial breakthrough was new developments in dna technology. back in 1992, dna analysis wasn't very advanced. this led to another man originally being charged, accused, child and laying cleared of her murder. for many years, people wondered who was responsible. northumbria police came back to it and advances in dna showed david boyd's dna on her clothing from the time. this was damning dna evidence. they compared this dna to a database of tens of thousands of others and no one else matches. it was clear

this man had very close contact with her when she vanished. he was convicted based mainly on that dna evidence. he didn't give evidence during his trial, he declined to do so and denied the accusation but the jury so and denied the accusation but the jury said, i think, working out in less than two hours, to unanimously convict him. thejudge less than two hours, to unanimously convict him. the judge at the crown court told them to take their time and go through things but they were obviously certain having heard all that evidence to come back into hours to unanimously decide on a guilty charge. hours to unanimously decide on a guilty charge-— guilty charge. latest on the breakin: guilty charge. latest on the breaking news _ guilty charge. latest on the breaking news on _ guilty charge. latest on the breaking news on the - guilty charge. latest on the| breaking news on the court. guilty charge. latest on the - breaking news on the court. we will return to you if there is more on the case.

a controversial immigration policy in the us has expired —— and officials are warning about a potential surge in migrants at the us—mexico border. officials have said that when title 42 is no longer in effect, tens of thousands of people could try to cross over. before we look in detail at the policy itself — here are some of the latest pictures from the us — mexico border — where large groups of people are waiting near the barbed wire, poised to make that crossing. officials have said 10 thousand people have made their way to the areas around the southern us border. president biden acknowledged earlier in the week. the situation may be chaotic in the coming days — till the new policy comes in. these pictures from last night —

show you some opf the contingencies — a heavy presence of armed guards patrolling — reinforcing the barriers — in anticipation of what could develop. as for the policy itself — title 42 was the temporary law introduced by donald trump — which meant illegal migrants could be removed quickly — and it expired at midnight washington time. the policy made it easier for the us to send people back to mexico, using the coronavirus pandemic as justification. a little earlier — some migrants who had made it across the border into the us spoke to the bbc. translation: i left because my life was in danger- _ translation: i left because my life was in danger. if _ translation: i left because my life was in danger. if i _ translation: i left because my life was in danger. if i had _ translation: i left because my life was in danger. if i had to _ translation: i left because my life was in danger. if i had to go - translation: i left because my life was in danger. if i had to go back - was in danger. if i had to go back home, i don't know what would happen to me. ijust need to work for a better future.— better future. just a few of the many voices — better future. just a few of the many voices there. _ better future. just a few of the many voices there. let's - better future. just a few of the many voices there. let's head | better future. just a few of the l many voices there. let's head to better future. just a few of the - many voices there. let's head to el paso. please set the scene for us.

we are in front of a church that operates as a shelter for some of the migrants here. this is notjust because of the title 42 situation, this is one of the things they have done for decades. there are some behind me who havejust done for decades. there are some behind me who have just woken up from sleeping outside of this church. some of these individuals have already been processed and have gotten themselves court dates and are headed off to whatever their destination is, in this area or somewhere else around the country. 0thers somewhere else around the country. others are still in the process of waiting to turn themselves in to begin the legal process of manoeuvring through the eilat asylum system. the boarders are not legally wide open now, there have been some new procedures put in place by the biden administration is in an effort to streamline this asylum process.

but the question will be how long before that actually takes effect? in terms of officials where you are, the texas department of public safety likened this to a stampede at a football match. there is real concern at the sheer number and how they will be managed in the coming days. they will be managed in the coming da s. �* ., they will be managed in the coming da s. �* . ., , , they will be managed in the coming das. . ., days. and that really is one of the questions- — days. and that really is one of the questions. how— days. and that really is one of the questions. how will— days. and that really is one of the questions. how will this _ days. and that really is one of the questions. how will this be - days. and that really is one of the - questions. how will this be managed? this is something we heard from president biden and the secretary of homeland security is saying that they are cautioning people that this could be a chaotic process for some time. again, tens of thousands of people are waiting to come into the country, many of them because they have been held on the other side of the border because of title 42, waiting to come in. some of the

officials have been saying that it has been building up for years. now is when the processing can begin. you were talking earlier about the changes made by the administration. they have been trying to explain what they are doing. the trouble is many of the people there are talking about the rumours, lies, fragments from trafficking gangs. that is difficult for the authorities to combat, isn't it? tt difficult for the authorities to combat, isn't it?— difficult for the authorities to combat, isn't it? , , , combat, isn't it? it is because some ofthe combat, isn't it? it is because some of the conversations _ combat, isn't it? it is because some of the conversations and _ combat, isn't it? it is because some| of the conversations and information we have been hearing is through social media. we know how pervasive some of the misinformation from social media can be and how easily that sticks in focus minds. that's one of the reasons the administration has said they have implemented this cell phone app, a smartphone app through which people can start to applying for asylum meetings, trying to meet people where they are. we know that in the

past there have been radio blasts are owned television commercials telling people what the proper information is but that tab misinformation is really difficult. it will be a huge challenge for the administration coming forward so people to know what really is the case. ., ~' people to know what really is the case. . ~ , ., to break down exactly what title 42 is — and what is changing for migrants now that the policy has lifted — here's our newsroom reporter naomi choy smith. nearly 3 million people have been expeued nearly 3 million people have been expelled from the us—mexico border since title 42 was first introduced three years ago. it is a pandemic health policy introduced by president trump back in march 2020. it was introduced to stop the flow

of covid—19 to spread across us borders. since then, president biden also extended for title 42 and it allowed authorities to swiftly remove migrants from the us—mexico border without processing their asylum claims. what remains in place now the title 42 has expired? the biden administration says that migrants will now be allowed to apply once again for asylum. they will be able to use an app at the border to get an interview and through go through the scheming process. they will have to apply in another third country in latin america in order to give their asylum application some legitimacy. the administration also wants to introduces migrant processing centres in latin america to reduce

the chokehold on the border. migrants who try to cross illegally or those with ineligible or unsuccessful applications will face penalties. for migrants that continue to cross illegally and whose applications are considered ineligible, they could be banned for five years for making those applications. 0ne workaround that the biden administration introduces is known as humanitarian... this is for people from cuba, haiti, nicaragua and venezuela. this also applies to refugee in ukraine and afghanistan. it allows 30,000 people per month from those countries to live and work in the us. this is if they have a financial sponsor already living in the united states. the question remains whether any of these policies can do enough to alleviate the humanitarian suffering as well as the us political issue

and hot button debate surrounding theissue and hot button debate surrounding the issue of immigration around the border. there are around 27,000 migrants in their border patrol custody and it only has capacity for several thousand. that custody and it only has capacity for several thousand.— several thousand. that 'ust explained i several thousand. that 'ust explained the i several thousand. that just explained the background i several thousand. that just l explained the background to several thousand. that just - explained the background to the changes we have had overnight there. throughout today's programme we will have a heavy analysis from both sides of the border. we will keep a close eye on this because it is very important. the uk's wave of strikes continue — this time, it is train passengers facing cancellations. it's the start of two days of disruption on the railways, which will hit thousands of passengers — some of them trying to get to the final of the eurovision song contest in liverpool.

our business correspondent, marc ashdown, has the latest. train drivers on strike yet again. frustration and lincoln from passages dealing with more disruption. tt passages dealing with more disruption-— passages dealing with more disrution. ., ., ., disruption. it has gone on for too lonu. it's disruption. it has gone on for too long. it's about _ disruption. it has gone on for too long. it's about time _ disruption. it has gone on for too long. it's about time they - disruption. it has gone on for too long. it's about time they did - long. it's about time they did something. everybody is short of money, and they? tt something. everybody is short of money, and they?— something. everybody is short of money, and they? it is not an ideal situation but _ money, and they? it is not an ideal situation but i _ money, and they? it is not an ideal situation but i understand it. - money, and they? it is not an ideal situation but i understand it. it's. situation but i understand it. it's important — situation but i understand it. it's important to strike, it's very good for peopla — important to strike, it's very good for people-— for people. steam rail operator affected transport _ for people. steam rail operator| affected transport and express, avanti... devoted fa n devoted fan harry was to travel to liverpool but he is stuck in london

because of the strikes. taste liverpool but he is stuck in london because of the strikes.— because of the strikes. we had lanned because of the strikes. we had planned this — because of the strikes. we had planned this months _ because of the strikes. we had planned this months in - because of the strikes. we had l planned this months in advance. because of the strikes. we had - planned this months in advance. the build—up was really exciting and obviously, the fact that we had to cancel two weeks prior to the event after months of waiting, it was really disappointing. the government has accused the _ really disappointing. the government has accused the unions _ really disappointing. the government has accused the unions of _ really disappointing. the government has accused the unions of cynically i has accused the unions of cynically charred targeting the event. we have to look after— charred targeting the event. we have to look after people _ charred targeting the event. we have to look after people we _ charred targeting the event. we have to look after people we represent - to look after people we represent and we _ to look after people we represent and we don't want to disadvantage anybody _ and we don't want to disadvantage anybody. there is no good day for a strike _ anybody. there is no good day for a strike if_ anybody. there is no good day for a strike it you — anybody. there is no good day for a strike. if you pick any day, there will he _ strike. if you pick any day, there will be some event and someone else will be some event and someone else will say, _ will be some event and someone else will say, what about this? group that is— will say, what about this? group that is not— will say, what about this? group that is not how we want to be but how us _ that is not how we want to be but how us to — that is not how we want to be but how us to revise our displeasure? the group — how us to revise our displeasure? the group insists an offer of a 4% backdated pay rise plus another 4%

this year depending on reforms. ministers are pushing on them groups to settle. the ministers are pushing on them groups to settle. ,., ., , to settle. the government has paid u . to settle. the government has paid u- to to settle. the government has paid up to £65,000 — to settle. the government has paid up to £65,000 for _ to settle. the government has paid up to £65,000 for them. _ to settle. the government has paid up to £65,000 for them. there - to settle. the government has paid up to £65,000 for them. there is l to settle. the government has paid. up to £65,000 for them. there is no change to the hours so i believe that not only is it a generous pay rise, bearing in mind it has gone up almost 40% since 2011, they have had the highest pay rises per employment category since then. the the highest pay rises per employment category since then.— category since then. the after almost two — category since then. the after almost two years _ category since then. the after almost two years of _ category since then. the after almost two years of industrial| almost two years of industrial action, one union leader says they think they are now further away from an agreement than they had when they first started.

let's round up a few more stories here in the uk that are making headlines. the uk economy only grew 0.1% over the last year. the uk economy grew 0.1% injanuary and march according to the office for national statistics. the uk's largest cancer centre was dealt downgraded by watchdog during inspections. the hospital in manchester has been rated it requires improvement. and british entrepreneur mike lynch has been extradited to the us. he was once dubbed britain's bill gates and is

standing trial on charges of frauds which he denies. we start in pakistan, where the former prime minister imran khan — is to be freed from custody a day after the supreme court ruled his dramatic arrest on corruption charges was illegal. imran khanwas released on protected bail, which means he can not be re—arrested for at least two weeks. breaking news, david boyd has been charged guilty for the murder of nikki allan in 1996.— charged guilty for the murder of nikki allan in 1996. today is about 'ustice. nikki allan in 1996. today is about justice. justice _ nikki allan in 1996. today is about justice. justice for nikki _ nikki allan in 1996. today is about justice. justice for nikki allan - nikki allan in 1996. today is about justice. justice for nikki allan and | justice. justice for nikki allan and herfamily. she was her family. she was a seven—year—old girl who was much—loved by all who knew her. she had her whole life ahead of her. but on the evening of

october seven, 1992, ahead of her. but on the evening of 0ctoberseven, 1992, her ahead of her. but on the evening of october seven, 1992, herfuture was 0ctober seven, 1992, herfuture was taken away from her. we thank nikki's family for their patience and strength over the last 30 years. and our thoughts are very much with them and we continue to be so. 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 nicky's murder has been one of the most complex and comprehensive ever conducted by northumbria police. i am extremely proud of the investigative team and all those who have played their part in securing this conviction today. i further

hope this sends a strong message that no matter how long ago an offence takes place, we will do everything we can to ensure justice is served. thank you. everything we can to ensure 'ustice is served. thank youfi is served. thank you. good afternoon. _ is served. thank you. good afternoon. i— is served. thank you. good afternoon. i am _ is served. thank you. good afternoon. i am detective l afternoon. i am detective chief superintendent and i am a senior investigating officer in this case. nikki _ investigating officer in this case. nikki allan would have been 37 now and who _ nikki allan would have been 37 now and who knows what her life could have been — and who knows what her life could have been. herfuture and who knows what her life could have been. her future was cruelly taken _ have been. her future was cruelly taken by— have been. her future was cruelly taken by david boyd who today was convicted _ taken by david boyd who today was convicted of her murder. the pain and suffering he has caused and to so many— and suffering he has caused and to so many people is immeasurable. this is a huge _ so many people is immeasurable. this is a huge day— so many people is immeasurable. this is a huge day for nicky's family and i is a huge day for nicky's family and i would _ is a huge day for nicky's family and i would like — is a huge day for nicky's family and i would like to thank them for their incredible strength. after 30 years, finally, they have justice. since 2017, _

finally, they have justice. since 2017, as— finally, they have justice. since 2017, as an _ finally, they have justice. since 2017, as an investigative team, we have _ 2017, as an investigative team, we have worked tirelessly, tirelessly on what — have worked tirelessly, tirelessly on what has been a complex and challenging investigation. 0ur challenging investigation. our commitment has always been to establish — commitment has always been to establish who was responsible and to brin- establish who was responsible and to bring them _ establish who was responsible and to bring them tojustice. new establish who was responsible and to bring them to justice. new forensic techniques — bring them to justice. new forensic techniques have been key in this investigation in identifying david boyd~ _ investigation in identifying david boyd. the residents of sunderland have also — boyd. the residents of sunderland have also played their part in ensuring _ have also played their part in ensuring justice for nikki and her family _ ensuring justice for nikki and her family i— ensuring justice for nikki and her family. i would like to take this opportunity to thank every resident who provided us with their dna. without— who provided us with their dna. without their help, today's conviction would not have been possible. thank you.— conviction would not have been possible. thank you. good afternoon. i am ahead possible. thank you. good afternoon. i am ahead of— possible. thank you. good afternoon. i am ahead of complex _ possible. thank you. good afternoon. i am ahead of complex casework. - possible. thank you. good afternoon. i am ahead of complex casework. 30 | i am ahead of complex casework. 30 years _ i am ahead of complex casework. 30 years ago. _ i am ahead of complex casework. 30 years ago. david _ i am ahead of complex casework. 30 years ago, david boyd _ i am ahead of complex casework. 30 years ago, david boyd took- i am ahead of complex casework. 30 years ago, david boyd took the - i am ahead of complex casework. 30 years ago, david boyd took the life i years ago, david boyd took the life of nikki _ years ago, david boyd took the life of nikki allan. _ years ago, david boyd took the life of nikki allan, a— years ago, david boyd took the life of nikki allan, a seven—year—old i

of nikki allan, a seven—year—old lii'l of nikki allan, a seven—year—old girl who— of nikki allan, a seven—year—old girl who knew _ of nikki allan, a seven—year—old girl who knew and _ of nikki allan, a seven—year—old girl who knew and trusted - of nikki allan, a seven—year—old girl who knew and trusted him. i girl who knew and trusted him. despite — girl who knew and trusted him. despite the _ girl who knew and trusted him. despite the unimaginable - girl who knew and trusted him. despite the unimaginable grief| despite the unimaginable grief experienced _ despite the unimaginable grief experienced hy— despite the unimaginable grief experienced by her— despite the unimaginable grief experienced by her family, - despite the unimaginable grief experienced by her family, hel despite the unimaginable grief- experienced by her family, he denied being _ experienced by her family, he denied being involved — experienced by her family, he denied being involved in _ experienced by her family, he denied being involved in the _ experienced by her family, he denied being involved in the killing - experienced by her family, he denied being involved in the killing for- experienced by her family, he denied being involved in the killing for 30 i being involved in the killing for 30 years _ being involved in the killing for 30 years the — being involved in the killing for 30 years. the prosecution _ being involved in the killing for 30 years. the prosecution service - being involved in the killing for 30j years. the prosecution service has worked _ years. the prosecution service has worked very— years. the prosecution service has worked very closely— years. the prosecution service has worked very closely with _ years. the prosecution service has. worked very closely with northumbria police _ worked very closely with northumbria police to _ worked very closely with northumbria police to build — worked very closely with northumbria police to build a _ worked very closely with northumbria police to build a robust _ worked very closely with northumbria police to build a robust case - police to build a robust case against _ police to build a robust case against him _ police to build a robust case against him and _ police to build a robust case against him and have - police to build a robust case j against him and have pieced police to build a robust case - against him and have pieced together evidence _ against him and have pieced together evidence to _ against him and have pieced together evidence to demonstrate _ against him and have pieced together evidence to demonstrate to _ against him and have pieced together evidence to demonstrate to the - evidence to demonstrate to the satisfaction— evidence to demonstrate to the satisfaction of— evidence to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the _ evidence to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the jury - evidence to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the jury that - evidence to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the jury that the | satisfaction of the jury that the only person _ satisfaction of the jury that the only person who _ satisfaction of the jury that the only person who could - satisfaction of the jury that the only person who could have . satisfaction of the jury that the i only person who could have killed her was _ only person who could have killed her was david _ only person who could have killed her was david boyd. _ only person who could have killed herwas david boyd. our- only person who could have killed j her was david boyd. our thoughts her was david boyd. 0ur thoughts remain— her was david boyd. our thoughts remain with — her was david boyd. our thoughts remain with nikki's _ her was david boyd. our thoughts remain with nikki's family - her was david boyd. our thoughts remain with nikki's family for - her was david boyd. our thoughts. remain with nikki's family for whom this must— remain with nikki's family for whom this must he — remain with nikki's family for whom this must he a — remain with nikki's family for whom this must be a difficult— remain with nikki's family for whom this must be a difficult time. - remain with nikki's family for whom this must be a difficult time. we - this must be a difficult time. we hope _ this must be a difficult time. we hope this— this must be a difficult time. we hope this result _ this must be a difficult time. we hope this result gives _ this must be a difficult time. we hope this result gives them - this must be a difficult time. wel hope this result gives them some this must be a difficult time. we - hope this result gives them some of the answers— hope this result gives them some of the answers and _ hope this result gives them some of the answers and they _ hope this result gives them some of the answers and they can _ hope this result gives them some of the answers and they can take - hope this result gives them some ofj the answers and they can take some measure _ the answers and they can take some measure of— the answers and they can take some measure of comfort _ the answers and they can take some measure of comfort knowing - the answers and they can take some measure of comfort knowing that. the answers and they can take some| measure of comfort knowing that her killer has _ measure of comfort knowing that her killer has finally _ measure of comfort knowing that her killer has finally been _ measure of comfort knowing that her killer has finally been brought - measure of comfort knowing that her killer has finally been brought to - killer has finally been brought to justice — that was northumbria police giving

us an update on what happened today. this occurred at newcastle court. they gave an insight into the complexities of this case that has lasted some 30 years. let's cross live to danny savage he was outside newcastle crown court. you were listening to a press conference and following events earlier today. first off, let's start off with the background to this case. what took place as we know 30 years ago? tt place as we know 30 years ago? tit was a day in october 1992, nikki allan was playing outside herflat apartment in sunderland on a housing estate there in a huge courtyard, four or five story quadrant of flats. she was playing outside and vanished. there was a huge search for her as her relatives and friends anxiously scoured the area for the

little seven—year—old girl who had disappeared. her mum remembers someone coming to her that day and saying, what shoes was she wearing? and she was so overwhelmed and flummoxed by the disappearance of her child that she just didn't know. she couldn't remember what she was her daughter was wearing. the search continued for some time, please volunteers locally, and the body was found by volunteers the following day in a derelict building just a short distance from her home. she had been killed in a brutal manner, stabbed and hit with a blunt instrument. it was awful for everyone involved, this horrible child murder in the midst of a densely populated area in a community in sunderland. the question was who had done this. not to mention the awful grief the family were going through. what happened then was another man was subsequently arrested as a suspect,

questioned and charged and put in trial. he was eventually cleared by the jury that there was a huge rumpus at the time as controversy over this because people thought that he was the man guilty of this. they thought the jury had simply decided there simply wasn't enough evidence against him. his life was changed forever and the family talked at the time of how what a terrible day was for them but that geriatric at crown court was right. that man was not guilty of her murder. the case then revisited years later by a mac with dna evidence and lo and behold, new dna developments and techniques which had come on in the last decade or so pinpointed david boyd as the man who was a suspect. the background to the case that we have prepared follows.

a little seven—year—old girl, brutally murdered more than 30 years ago. last seen skipping after a man, lured to her death. we now know who that man was. david boyd, 25 years old at the time, now 55. advances in dna evidence found traces of him on her clothes. she lived in a ground—floor flat on this estate in sunderland. her killer lived on the floor of the block to stop the whole estate has since been demolished. sharon is nicky's mum. it is hard to comprehend the effect this has had on her life.

your life just changed. i'm sitting there... ifeel like a there... i feel like a zombie. couldn't move. my sister came in asking what shoes she had on her feet. i said asking what shoes she had on her feet. isaid i asking what shoes she had on her feet. i said i couldn't remember. the search ended when nikki's body was found dumped in this derelict building not farfrom her home. there was uproar at leeds crown court _ there was uproar at leeds crown court today— there was uproar at leeds crown court today when a man... in 1993, the family — court today when a man... in 1993, the family had _ court today when a man... in 1993, the family had to _ court today when a man... in 1993, the family had to endure _ court today when a man... in 1993, the family had to endure a - court today when a man... in 1993, the family had to endure a trial - the family had to endure a trial where a man was cleared of her murder. thatjury was right. horrendous. worst day of my life today _ horrendous. worst day of my life toda . ., ._ , horrendous. worst day of my life toda . ., ., , today. for three days after this hoto today. for three days after this photo was _

today. for three days after this photo was taken, _ today. for three days after this photo was taken, david - today. for three days after this photo was taken, david boyd i today. for three days after this - photo was taken, david boyd thought he got away with it. one of the uk's was notorious has finally been solved. there are a number of key things said as part of that press conference. we had it described as one of the most complex and comprehensive investigations by the northumbria police. a complex and challenging case, the head of the complex case unit christopher atkinson talked about the need for a robust case being built against david boyd. just tell us what was involved. 30 years is a long time. it was a challenging case by northumbria police and they spent a long time going down the wrong avenue thinking another man was

guilty. even when the man originally accused back in the 1990s and cleared at leeds crown court was found not guilty, northumbria police insisted at the time that there was nothing wrong with their investigation and it had been carried out properly. spring forward and you had sharon henderson, nikki's mum, overwhelmed with grief. she never gave up and kept campaigning. she kept pushing that case along and reminding everybody that the death of her daughter was still unsolved. the biggest advance of this whole case was developments in dna techniques which was around in dna techniques which was around in the '90s and early century but has got better and better as time has got better and better as time has gone on. it was the dna evidence of david boyd on nikki allan's clothing that eventually approved the overwhelming evidence against

him in court. when that guilty