you can release by the parole board. you can be taken down. justice lambert there in court, sentencing david boyd for the murder of nikki allan, the seven—year—old girl in 1992. he has been sentenced to 29 years in prison. let'sjoin our correspondent outside the court. very detailed distressing account, sometimes repeated there by the judge, of what happened to nikki allan in october 1992.— judge, of what happened to nikki allan in october 1992. that's right. if ou look allan in october 1992. that's right. if you look at _ allan in october 1992. that's right. if you look at some _ allan in october 1992. that's right. if you look at some of _ allan in october 1992. that's right. if you look at some of the - allan in october 1992. that's right. | if you look at some of the comments she made in her summing up, she said it wasa crime she made in her summing up, she said it was a crime that shocked and bewildered the community for 31 years, that nikki allan was loved, she left a hole in herfamily and in the community in which she lived. it

was a terrible crime that shocked the community, that went unsolved for three decades. nikki allan was a seven—year—old girl who was out on an evening, was cleared by david boyd to a disused building, as we heard there, in sunderland by the dockside, where he attacked her. —— was lured by david boyd. thejudge said she believed he either committed a sexual assault are intended to commit a sexual assault on nikki allan, who fought back and scream, and he managed to get her into the building where he carried out what she described as a frenzied attack on the seven—year—old girl using a brick and a knife, where he stabbed her multiple times and then dragged her body to the basement of the building to try and hide it, to try and cover his tracks. her body was found the next day by two local residents, such was the outpouring that people scattered around the area to try and find her and her body was found the next day. david boyd was initially interviewed as a witness to the case, not a suspect, and as you hard in that case, he generated a false alibi for himself,

saying he had gone to get fish and chips, knowing full well that an innocent man had been arrested and stood trial for nikki allan's murder, a trial in which he was acquitted on the direction of the church a year later. it then took the campaign of nikki allan's mum, over those 30 years and the advances in dna technology, to be able to link david boyd to this crime, to being found guilty by a jury here a couple of weeks ago and the sentencing we have heard today. find sentencing we have heard today. and as ou sentencing we have heard today. and as you say. — sentencing we have heard today. and as you say. it — sentencing we have heard today. and as you say, it has taken a long time forjustice to be served, and of course a very agonising time for her parents. course a very agonising time for her arents. . �* , ~ course a very agonising time for her arents. ., �* , . ., course a very agonising time for her arents. ., �*, . ., ,., parents. that's right. we had some statements — parents. that's right. we had some statements read _ parents. that's right. we had some statements read out _ parents. that's right. we had some statements read out in _ parents. that's right. we had some statements read out in court - parents. that's right. we had some statements read out in court this i statements read out in court this morning for nikki allan's mum and dad. talking about the impact that the death of their daughter had on them, and notjust on them, notjust on the community, but on their children and grandchildren, even.

this has been absolutely devastating to the family and their friends. nikki allan's dad talked about how he couldn't walk past a building in sunderland where she had been attacked because it was a reminder of his daughter's death, even though he lived nearby. he hadn't been able to go to funerals of people he knew because it reminded him of seeing his daughter's body in its coffin. her mum talked about how the impact was notjust on her, how david boyd had destroyed her life, had destroyed nikki allan's siblings' lives, and also her grandchildren�*s light as well, this has had a massive impact on the entire family. nikki allan's mum has had to campaign for nikki allan's mum has had to campaignfor30 years, nikki allan's mum has had to campaign for 30 years, almost, it was 25 years before david boyd was arrested. she had to campaign over that time, which she said had taken a toll on her mental and physical health. she had been sectioned at one point because of mental health issues as a result of the stress that had been caused by her daughter's death. this has been absolutely devastating to everybody

involved. , involved. something else the 'udge focus on was — involved. something else the 'udge focus on was that i involved. something else the 'udge focus on was that david * involved. something else the 'udge focus on was that david boyd h involved. something else the judge focus on was that david boyd had i focus on was that david boyd had known this little girl, nikki allan. that she had followed him to wear he ended up killing her, and therefore, he had used psychological coercion rather than physical coercion, which she said really amounted to the same thing. she said really amounted to the same thin. , ., she said really amounted to the same thing. yes. i mean, david boyd was known to nikki _ thing. yes. i mean, david boyd was known to nikki allan _ thing. yes. i mean, david boyd was known to nikki allan and _ thing. yes. i mean, david boyd was known to nikki allan and known - thing. yes. i mean, david boyd was known to nikki allan and known to. known to nikki allan and known to nikki allan's family. he was the boyfriend of the baby—sitter of nikki allan. and he lived in the same block of flats. he lived in the same block of flats. he lived in the same building. so this was somebody that was known to the family, and known to nikki allan herself, and that was something that david boyd took advantage of in order to carry out his crime. as you harden sentencing there, she was described as skipping along behind him. witnesses thought they must be related, that they were father and daughter. and david boyd used that position of trust he had to be able to manipulate nikki allan in the way

that he did and ultimately lead to her murder. you could see from the dutch�*s summing up that she took those facts into account, considering them aggravating factors, in this appalling murder. —— thejudge's summing up. factors, in this appalling murder. -- the judge's summing up. given the brutali of -- the judge's summing up. given the brutality of this _ -- the judge's summing up. given the brutality of this murder _ -- the judge's summing up. given the brutality of this murder and _ -- the judge's summing up. given the brutality of this murder and the - brutality of this murder and the fact he was linked to her, his girlfriend, as you say, baby—sat for her, in a way to seem remarkable it's taken 30 years to get to this point. it's taken 30 years to get to this oint. , . , ., point. yes, it was... i think there were a point. yes, it was. .. i think there were a number— point. yes, it was. .. i think there were a number of— point. yes, it was... i think there were a number of things - point. yes, it was... i think there were a number of things you - point. yes, it was... i think there| were a number of things you have point. yes, it was... i think there i were a number of things you have to consider here. firstly, the fact that in 1993, an innocent man, george heron, stood trialfor nikki allan's murder. the police have subsequently apologised to him. what subsequently apologised to him. what subsequently the command is that george heron was interviewed over three days, they carried out what has been described as oppressive interviewing techniques on him and he eventually put forward some form of confession, which the judge at his trial said, some of that interview evidence should not be admissible in court and thejudge

interview evidence should not be admissible in court and the judge at the 1993 trial said he should be acquitted of the charges. however, the police said they weren't looking for anybody else in connection with the offence, and there have been questions asked by the family over the way that northumbria police have handled this case. it was 25 years after the killing when the case was reinvestigated, and advances in dna evidence where watt was able to tie david boyd to the crime scene. some of his dna, such was the advance in technique, they were able to use smaller and final samples of dna, some of it was found on nikki allan's clothing and that is what ultimately led to his arrest in 2018 and his conviction, that was what linked him to the crime. it was nikki allan's mother really campaigning over that time, for years and years, decades, really, get the crime reopen, to get it looked at again, that has led to this conviction today. find looked at again, that has led to this conviction today.— this conviction today. and of course, this conviction today. and of course. the _ this conviction today. and of course, the judge _ this conviction today. and of course, the judge alluded i this conviction today. and of course, the judge alluded to this conviction today. and of- course, the judge alluded to the fact that there had been other

incidences. this was not an isolated case for david boyd.— case for david boyd. yes, david bo d, as case for david boyd. yes, david boyd. as your _ case for david boyd. yes, david boyd, as your hard, _ case for david boyd. yes, david boyd, as your hard, again, - case for david boyd. yes, david boyd, as your hard, again, she| boyd, as your hard, again, she considered this an aggravating factor in the case, as far back as 1986, before the murder of nikki allan, david boyd had approached women and asked to touch them. he had subsequent convictions for indecent assault. clearly the judge had taken those factors into consideration in the sentencing today, believing that... because in the trial itself, there was no suggestion from the prosecution of a sexual motive to the crime, that was brought up this morning in some of the legal submissions this morning, that the prosecution believed there was a sexual motive to david boyd's lowering of nikki allan to this building, and thejudge clearly agreed with that, and she said there was a sexual motive to this crime, she believed, and that he had a track record of fantasising their children and other sexual crimes. we willjust remind you, thank you very much indeed, we are going tojust

remind you hear of, we are covering here the case of nikki allan, who was a seven—year—old girl, murdered in 1992. the sentence for her killer, david boyd, who is a 55 man now, byjustice lambert, she spoke for some period of time and weighed up for some period of time and weighed up a number of factors in the sentencing, and after many minutes came to the conclusion, brought us to the conclusion that the killer, david boyd, would be jailed for a minimum of 29 years. this is what she said. , ., , ., she said. there should be little or no increase _ she said. there should be little or no increase from _ she said. there should be little or no increase from 20 _ she said. there should be little or no increase from 20 years - she said. there should be little or no increase from 20 years at - she said. there should be little or no increase from 20 years at all. | no increase from 20 years at all. i'm no increase from 20 years at all. i'rn entirely— no increase from 20 years at all. i'm entirely satisfied that before december 2000 to a minimum term well in excess _ december 2000 to a minimum term well in excess of— december 2000 to a minimum term well in excess of 20 years would have been _ in excess of 20 years would have been imposed. lord bingham identified the killing of a child,

evidence — identified the killing of a child, evidence of sexual maltreatment and the use _ evidence of sexual maltreatment and the use of— evidence of sexual maltreatment and the use of a — evidence of sexual maltreatment and the use of a weapon come all at separate — the use of a weapon come all at separate aggravating factors, all three _ separate aggravating factors, all three were present in your case. even _ three were present in your case. even from — three were present in your case. even from a _ three were present in your case. even from a starting point of 14 years. — even from a starting point of 14 years, these factors would have increased — years, these factors would have increased the term substantially, in myjudgment, to a point at or beyond 20 years _ myjudgment, to a point at or beyond 20 years. the court would then have to reflect _ 20 years. the court would then have to reflect upon the further aggravating factors which i described elsewhere. there were, in reality. _ described elsewhere. there were, in reality. no— described elsewhere. there were, in reality, no mitigating factors. although mr peter again relies on your case — although mr peter again relies on your case at the time of the offence. _ your case at the time of the offence. i_ your case at the time of the offence, i reject that submission. you were — offence, i reject that submission. you were 25 years old. the possibility he may have died in prison— possibility he may have died in prison or— possibility he may have died in prison or emerge an old man would not have _ prison or emerge an old man would not have arisen in 1992, even if as mr peter— not have arisen in 1992, even if as mr peter samit's i must take the position— mr peter samit's i must take the position as — mr peter samit's i must take the position as it is today, i am still unable — position as it is today, i am still unable to— position as it is today, i am still unable to accept that the possibility that you may die in prison— possibility that you may die in prison is— possibility that you may die in prison is a _ possibility that you may die in prison is a factor which in any

materiat— prison is a factor which in any material way serves to reduce the minimum — material way serves to reduce the minimum term. the murder of nikki allan— minimum term. the murder of nikki allan involved the cynical manipulation of a young seven—year—old girl who you are lured _ seven—year—old girl who you are lured away— seven—year—old girl who you are lured away from her home at night for the _ lured away from her home at night for the purpose of sexually assaulting her. he attacked her twice, — assaulting her. he attacked her twice, once outside the old exchange building _ twice, once outside the old exchange building and then the fatal assault. your fatal— building and then the fatal assault. your fatal assault, the fatal assault— your fatal assault, the fatal assault was brutal. you must have inflicted _ assault was brutal. you must have inflicted on — assault was brutal. you must have inflicted on her unimaginable terror inflicted on her unimaginable terror in the _ inflicted on her unimaginable terror in the period before that fatal assault — in the period before that fatal assault. you then took steps to cover— assault. you then took steps to cover your— assault. you then took steps to cover your tracks by hiding the body to the _ cover your tracks by hiding the body to the extent that you could within that building and by advancing your false alibi _ that building and by advancing your false alibi whilst another person stood _ false alibi whilst another person stood trial for the murder which you had committed. i consider, having regard _ had committed. i consider, having regard to — had committed. i consider, having regard to all of those factors, that your offending was so serious that a minimum _ your offending was so serious that a minimum term of no less than 29 years— minimum term of no less than 29 years would have been imposed. any

term less _ years would have been imposed. any term less than this would not have reflected _ term less than this would not have reflected the recommendation of the trialjudge ordered the decision of the home — trialjudge ordered the decision of the home secretary at the time. i have _ the home secretary at the time. i have given — the home secretary at the time. i have given serious consideration to the conclusion that the combination of aggravating factors would have led to _ of aggravating factors would have led to the imposition of a term of 30 years— led to the imposition of a term of 30 years or— led to the imposition of a term of 30 years or more. however, taking into consideration the observations of lord _ into consideration the observations of lord bingham that the imposition of lord bingham that the imposition of such— of lord bingham that the imposition of such a _ of lord bingham that the imposition of such a term would be very rare indeed, _ of such a term would be very rare indeed, i've— of such a term would be very rare indeed, i've concluded that i can't be sure _ indeed, i've concluded that i can't be sure that a term in excess of 30 years _ be sure that a term in excess of 30 years would — be sure that a term in excess of 30 years would have been imposed. accordingly, i am satisfied and find that the _ accordingly, i am satisfied and find that the minimum term of imprisonment would have been ordered, — imprisonment would have been ordered, which would have been ordered — ordered, which would have been ordered that you serve release on licence _ ordered that you serve release on licence is — ordered that you serve release on licence is 29 years. that being lower— licence is 29 years. that being lower than the licence is 29 years. that being lowerthan the minimum licence is 29 years. that being lower than the minimum term i've determined under the contemporary regime, _ determined under the contemporary regime, i_ determined under the contemporary regime, i set the minimum term as one of— regime, i set the minimum term as one of 29— regime, i set the minimum term as one of 29 years, subject to the consideration at the time of the

time _ consideration at the time of the time you've spent on remand. iremind— time you've spent on remand. i remind all of those listening that the minimum term isjust that, the minimum term is just that, minimum— the minimum term is just that, minimum term the minimum term isjust that, minimum term which cannot be reduced in any— minimum term which cannot be reduced in any way _ minimum term which cannot be reduced in any way. after those 29 years have _ in any way. after those 29 years have been— in any way. after those 29 years have been served, there is no guarantee _ have been served, there is no guarantee he would be released. it's only if— guarantee he would be released. it's only if the _ guarantee he would be released. it's only if the probe decides you are fit to— only if the probe decides you are fit to he — only if the probe decides you are fit to be released that you will be released. — fit to be released that you will be released, and even then, you'll be subject— released, and even then, you'll be subject to — released, and even then, you'll be subject to licence and recall if you breach _ subject to licence and recall if you breach the — subject to licence and recall if you breach the terms of your license —— if the _ breach the terms of your license —— if the parole — breach the terms of your license —— if the parole board decides you are fit to be _ if the parole board decides you are fit to be released. david boyd, stand — fit to be released. david boyd, stand up _ fit to be released. david boyd, stand up. forthe murder of fit to be released. david boyd, stand up. for the murder of nikki allan _ stand up. for the murder of nikki allan on — stand up. for the murder of nikki allan on the 7th of october of 1992, the sentence of the court is one of life imprisonment. you will serve a term _ life imprisonment. you will serve a term of— life imprisonment. you will serve a term of 29— life imprisonment. you will serve a term of 29 years, subject to the 366 days would — term of 29 years, subject to the 366 days would you have spent on remand before _ days would you have spent on remand before consideration is given to your— before consideration is given to your release by the parole board. sentencing of 55—year—old david boyd for the murder of nikki allan, who

at the time was a seven—year—old girl, in 1992. we will shortly hear from the lawyers involved in this case but first, let's go back to our correspondence outside the court. it was clearly the subject of an enormous amount of deliberation as to how exactly, how long exactly the judge was going to sentence david boyd for this murder. yes. judge was going to sentence david boyd for this murder.— judge was going to sentence david boyd for this murder. yes, i mean, it's interesting _ boyd for this murder. yes, i mean, it's interesting that _ boyd for this murder. yes, i mean, it's interesting that the _ boyd for this murder. yes, i mean, it's interesting that the judge - boyd for this murder. yes, i mean, it's interesting that the judge said l it's interesting that the judge said that she would have sentenced him come under current sentencing guidelines, she would have sentenced him to 37 years but she was only able to sentence him, or chose to sentence him for 29 years because of the nature of how long it is since the nature of how long it is since the offence took place. so, in effect, thejudge the offence took place. so, in effect, the judge was constrained by the law as it was at the time the crime was committed. so if david boyd had been tried in 1992, what sentence could he have reasonably

been expected to be given at the time? so, although she wanted to give him 37 years, because of the way the sentencing policy has to work, she was only able to give him a shorter sentence. she gave him 29 years, which in itself was an uplift from the minimum because of what she saw as aggravating factors in the nature of the attack, the way that he had lured away nikki allan to her death, the severe nature of the betrayal of trust and so on, she took all those factors into account in passing her sentence of 29 years. that sentence will mean that david boyd will be in his mid—80s when he is considered eligible for parole, but as she spelt out, that is not necessarily mean he will be released from prison at that point. it will be up to the parole board to decide whether he is suitable for release at that point, and will remain on licence for the rest of his life, which means if he commits another offence he could be called back to prison. but the fact he will be in his mid—80s leaves open the

possibilities he may well die in jail. which she also cited as being significant. i jail. which she also cited as being sirnificant. ., ,., ., ., jail. which she also cited as being sirnificant. ., ., ., ., significant. i also want to go back to the statement _ significant. i also want to go back to the statement from _ significant. i also want to go back to the statement from nikki - significant. i also want to go back. to the statement from nikki allan's mother, which was read out in court, earlier. and she set her little girl's murder had destroyed her family's lives, she said nikki was a bright and sparkly child who was always a mome's girl, she had a beautiful smile and was loved, i cannot put into words how i felt when i heard she was missing and ultimately found murdered. she went on to say, i am 57, i've spent more than 30 years fighting forjustice. my than 30 years fighting forjustice. my life and that of my family has never been the same since nikki was murdered. a reminder there, how the impact that these types of things can have, notjust on immediate family members but on extended families, she talked about that, too. . �* , families, she talked about that, too. ., �* , ,, families, she talked about that, too. ., �*, ,, families, she talked about that, too. ., �* , ,, ., too. that's right. she said it had been devastating _ too. that's right. she said it had been devastating to _

too. that's right. she said it had been devastating to herself, - too. that's right. she said it had been devastating to herself, to l too. that's right. she said it had i been devastating to herself, to her children, to her grandchildren. it had clearly been devastating to david, nikki allan's father, who had not been able to go past the building where she was killed because it was a constant reminder of what had happened to his daughter. and also it affected the wider community. the judge daughter. and also it affected the wider community. thejudge herself wider community. the judge herself made wider community. thejudge herself made reference to the fact that this had had a shocking impact on the whole community in the area where she lived. and also, the other person who also was impacted by all of this was george heron, the man who stood trial in 1993 for nikki allan's murder before being acquitted on the direction of the judge because he was innocent. george heron, we heard, he was attacked in prison while he was being held on remand and subsequently was forced to move out of the area even though he was acquitted of the crime. nikki allan's mum herself said she was accused of being a bad mother and had been subject to abuse herself. this has had wide—ranging impacts on all sorts of people. it has been

absolutely devastating to the family, to the community, to an innocent man who was accused of her murder wrongly. 50 innocent man who was accused of her murder wrongly-— murder wrongly. so many aspects of this particular _ murder wrongly. so many aspects of this particular case _ murder wrongly. so many aspects of this particular case are _ murder wrongly. so many aspects of this particular case are very - this particular case are very distressing, the deception and of course the brutality of the murder itself. let's hear now from those involved in the case. i believe this is sharon henderson.— involved in the case. i believe this is sharon henderson. disgrace. i've been campaigning _ is sharon henderson. disgrace. i've been campaigning for— is sharon henderson. disgrace. i've been campaigning for 31 _ is sharon henderson. disgrace. i've been campaigning for 31 years. - been campaigning for 31 years. what's — been campaigning for 31 years. what's upset you most about today? the live, _ what's upset you most about today? the live, the — what's upset you most about today? the live, the apologies _ what's upset you most about today? the live, the apologies that - what's upset you most about today? the live, the apologies that were - the live, the apologies that were said to _ the live, the apologies that were said to me — the live, the apologies that were said to me on tv, not set for years and then— said to me on tv, not set for years and then finding out today that they were going to use the old law. would ou have were going to use the old law. would you have been _ were going to use the old law. would you have been more _ were going to use the old law. would you have been more satisfied - were going to use the old law. “comic you have been more satisfied with 37 years? it's what the judge wanted to impose based on... years? it's what the 'udge wanted to impose based on. . ._ impose based on... satisfied? i would have _

impose based on... satisfied? i would have been _ impose based on... satisfied? i would have been satisfied - impose based on... satisfied? i would have been satisfied with| impose based on... satisfied? i- would have been satisfied with life. this is— would have been satisfied with life. this is a _ would have been satisfied with life. this is a seven—year—old bairn. when is anyone _ this is a seven—year—old bairn. when is anyone going to take crimes like this serious? fire is anyone going to take crimes like this serious?— this serious? are you still angry with the police? _ this serious? are you still angry with the police? i— this serious? are you still angry with the police? i am, - this serious? are you still angry. with the police? i am, definitely, definitel . with the police? i am, definitely, definitely. they _ with the police? i am, definitely, definitely. they haven't - with the police? i am, definitely, definitely. they haven't done - with the police? i am, definitely, l definitely. they haven't done their 'obs definitely. they haven't done their jobs properly. so definitely. they haven't done their jobs properly-— jobs properly. so you would have wanted a whole _ jobs properly. so you would have wanted a whole life _ jobs properly. so you would have wanted a whole life tariff? - jobs properly. so you would have j wanted a whole life tariff? whole life sentence _ wanted a whole life tariff? whole life sentence with _ wanted a whole life tariff? whole life sentence with no _ wanted a whole life tariff? whole life sentence with no parole. - wanted a whole life tariff? whole life sentence with no parole. andj life sentence with no parole. and this is— life sentence with no parole. and this is what's happening to families like me. _ this is what's happening to families like me, overand overagain. it's an injustice _ like me, overand overagain. it's an injustice. with everything... sharon, — an injustice. with everything... sharon, how hard does it have sit through— sharon, how hard does it have sit through all— sharon, how hard does it have sit through all that? _ sharon, how hard does it have sit through all that? i— sharon, how hard does it have sit through all that?— sharon, how hard does it have sit through all that? i thought i'd been throu~h through all that? i thought i'd been through trauma _ through all that? i thought i'd been through trauma when _ through all that? i thought i'd been through trauma when i _ through all that? i thought i'd been through trauma when i found - through all that? i thought i'd been through trauma when i found out i through trauma when i found out nikki _ through trauma when i found out nikki was— through trauma when i found out nikki was murdered but this is, again — sharon, you've done really well.

stacey, — sharon, you've done really well. stacey, can _ sharon, you've done really well. stacey. can we _ sharon, you've done really well. stacey, can we ask— sharon, you've done really well. stacey, can we ask for— sharon, you've done really well. stacey, can we ask for your - stacey, can we ask for your reaction? _ stacey, can we ask for your reaction?— stacey, can we ask for your reaction? ., ., , reaction? not good, love, but it will do for— reaction? not good, love, but it will do for now. _ reaction? not good, love, but it will do for now. you _ reaction? not good, love, but it will do for now. you wanted - reaction? not good, love, but it. will do for now. you wanted more? there will be _ will do for now. you wanted more? there will be more, _ will do for now. you wanted more? there will be more, i— will do for now. you wanted more? there will be more, i think - will do for now. you wanted more? there will be more, i think about . will do for now. you wanted more? | there will be more, i think about as i say for now, we just need to take it one step at a time. my mum has been through a lot. that it one step at a time. my mum has been through a lot.— been through a lot. that 29 year sentence not _ been through a lot. that 29 year sentence not enough _ been through a lot. that 29 year sentence not enough for - been through a lot. that 29 year sentence not enough for you? i been through a lot. that 29 year i sentence not enough for you? how been through a lot. that 29 year - sentence not enough for you? how on earth could he — sentence not enough for you? how on earth could he walk _ sentence not enough for you? how on earth could he walk free _ sentence not enough for you? how on earth could he walk free to _ sentence not enough for you? how on earth could he walk free to harm - earth could he walk free to harm another child?— earth could he walk free to harm another child? you've lived without our sister another child? you've lived without your sister all— another child? you've lived without your sister all these _ another child? you've lived without your sister all these years, - another child? you've lived without your sister all these years, it - another child? you've lived without your sister all these years, it must| your sister all these years, it must have _ your sister all these years, it must have been— your sister all these years, it must have been hard. _ your sister all these years, it must have been hard.— your sister all these years, it must have been hard. fiery. what's - your sister all these years, it must have been hard. fiery. what's it. your sister all these years, it must. have been hard. fiery. what's it like have been hard. very. what's it like heafina have been hard. very. what's it like hearing details _ have been hard. very. what's it like hearing details over _ have been hard.“ what's it like hearing details over and _ have been hard.“ what's it like hearing details over and over? - have been hard. very. what's it like hearing details over and over? you| hearing details over and over? you 'ust have hearing details over and over? you just have to _ hearing details over and over? you just have to be _ hearing details over and over? vol, just have to be strong. just be there for my mum now. nikki's case wasn't took — there for my mum now. nikki's case wasn't took serious, _ there for my mum now. nikki's case wasn't took serious, never - there for my mum now. nikki's case wasn't took serious, never has - there for my mum now. nikki's case | wasn't took serious, never has been. can i_ wasn't took serious, never has been. can i saym _ wasn't took serious, never has been. can i say... sorry, go on a. | wasn't took serious, never has been. can i say... sorry, go on a. i am absolutely — can i say... sorry, go on a. i am absolutely devastated _ can i say... sorry, go on a. i am absolutely devastated at - can i say... sorry, go on a. i am absolutely devastated at the - absolutely devastated at the sentence. absolutely devastated.

thank _ sentence. absolutely devastated. thank you, sharon. this sentence. absolutely devastated. thank you, sharon.— thank you, sharon. this is a statement _ thank you, sharon. this is a statement i _ thank you, sharon. this is a statement i am _ thank you, sharon. this is a statement i am reading - thank you, sharon. this is a statement i am reading on | thank you, sharon. this is a - statement i am reading on behalf of sharon. ., , ., , statement i am reading on behalf of sharon. ., ,, , ,, statement i am reading on behalf of sharon. ., , ., sharon. could you give us your name, 'ust a little sharon. could you give us your name, just a little because _ sharon. could you give us your name, just a little because to _ sharon. could you give us your name, just a little because to the _ just a little because to the microphone _ just a little because to the microphone, please. - just a little because to the microphone, please. my. just a little because to the microphone, please. my name is har , microphone, please. my name is harry. i'm _ microphone, please. my name is harry. i'm a _ microphone, please. my name is harry, i'm a solicitor— microphone, please. my name is harry, i'm a solicitor and - microphone, please. my name isj harry, i'm a solicitor and director of the centre for women's justice. —— harriet. i've known sharon since 2006, when i started to try and help her in her incredible battle to get justice for nikki and i think we have to realise that if it wasn't for sharon continuing to fight all these years, we wouldn't be here today and she spoke the most incredible battle under the most awful circumstances. what we want to say is that this is not yet the end of her campaign forjustice. sharon demands that northumbria police are held accountable for the historic

failure is that allowed a 31 year wait until the right man was convicted of nick's murder. the full extent of the failures remain unknown. —— the right man was convicted of nikki's murder. the historic investigation which led to the wrong man being prosecuted and the wrong man being prosecuted and the failure of the place to consider alternative suspects over 20 years. we are preparing a complaint to be lodged with the independent office for police complaints and exploring the potential for damages against northumbria police on sharon's behalf. the failure to stem from a and crop initial investigation into nikki's murder. the original investigation in 1992 was marred by tunnel vision which focused on only one suspect, george heron. the police sought to bolster their case by the use of unethical and potentially unlawful means in order to secure a charge. in particular,

they secured a confession from the man prosecuted by means of oppression. a key witness, margaret hodge, so the murder suspect walking with a little girl skipping behind him, walking towards the old exchange building, the scene of the crime was up she described a man that did not match george heron and failed to identify him on the id parade. the police misrepresented to george heron the evidence and the strength of evidence implicating him, in particular, in an interview they deliberately and misleadingly claimed there had been —— he had been positively identified by two eyewitnesses when he had not, and indeed neither of those witnesses subsequently picked him out on identity parades. they subjected heron to repressive questioning in the face of repeated denials until eventually, worn down, he agreed to a false account of the killing. id parades were held only after he had been interviewed and the two he witnesses failed to identify him.

heron's sister michelle and her boyfriend provided alibis for heron but both were arrested for assisting an offender. her boyfriend was held forfour an offender. her boyfriend was held for four days and an offender. her boyfriend was held forfour days and under an offender. her boyfriend was held for four days and under duress provided an incriminating account against heron which he subsequently retracted during examination at trial. when police said following heron's acquittal that they were not looking for anyone else, it told boyd that they were not looking for him and provided him with a sense of impunity. as the evidence produced recently in the trial revealed, he was a likely suspect who should have been investigated at the time, in particular, he lived very close to nikki, he knew her because his girlfriend baby—sat for her. he told the police and door—to—door inquiries that he knew nikki at the time was last known person to see her alive. time was last known person to see heralive. he time was last known person to see her alive. he was familiar with the old exchange building, having taken a 12—year—old boy there days before.

unlike heron, he had previous convictions including convictions against girls aged eight to ten. although only convicted of one other serious sexual offence, we don't know how many other crimes boyd may have got away with since that time, given how many victims of sexual violence don't have confidence to report. the police announcement that they were not looking for anyone else also led sharon and her family to believe heron was the right suspect who got away with murder on a legal technicality, and that led to a loss of faith in the justice system. angerfrom the to a loss of faith in the justice system. anger from the local community which was provoked by this and the failure to secure a conviction led to some outrageously to blame sharon for being a bad mother, she is not. in the years after heron's conviction, there was no meaningful police reinvestigation and sharon felt her efforts to push for results were dismissed. her

trust in the police has never been fully restored. eventually she resorted to investigating suspects herself, identifying boyd under one of his pseudonyms as a likely suspect. it was only after she went to see the chief constable of northumbria police, in 2017, and begged him to launch a reinvestigation for murder that eventually the new team were appointed that brought boyd to justice. why was this grieving single mother with no resources left in this position for so long? that is why a public inquiry into this scandal is essential. finally, we would urge anyone who may believe they are a victim of boyd to come forward to the police or the centre forward to the police or the centre for women's justice so that he can be held accountable. fine for women'sjustice so that he can be held accountable.— be held accountable. one more question- _ be held accountable. one more question. how _

be held accountable. one more question. how does _ be held accountable. one more question. how does today - be held accountable. one more question. how does today fail? | be held accountable. one more . question. how does today fail? it's a bit like question. how does today fail? a bit like going past rooms question. how does today fail? lit“; a bit like going past rooms and gossip, — a bit like going past rooms and gossip, mentioned in the court. nikki _ gossip, mentioned in the court. nikki was— gossip, mentioned in the court. nikki was looking for her mum... she wasn't _ nikki was looking for her mum... she wasn't but— nikki was looking for her mum... she wasn't. but boyd used them words. as that wasn't. but boyd used them words. that made wasn't. but boyd used them words. as that made yourself feel...? wasn't. but boyd used them words. as that made yourself feel. . . ? the - that made yourself feel. . . ? the 'ustice that made yourself feel. . . ? the justice system's _ that made yourself feel. . . ? the justice system's i _ that made yourself feel...? justice system's i never... i can't _ justice system's i never... i can't understand why families in my position— can't understand why families in my position -- — can't understand why families in my position -- i— can't understand why families in my position —— i can understand why families— position —— i can understand why families in— position —— i can understand why families in my position are so angry — families in my position are so angry. nikki of the way she was murder, — angry. nikki of the way she was murder, i've had to listen to it, it's horrendous. i cannot think in my brain — it's horrendous. i cannot think in my brain how bad it is. and i thought— my brain how bad it is. and i thought life would have meant life without _ thought life would have meant life without parole. i have been let down again— without parole. i have been let down again by— without parole. i have been let down again by the justice system and the police _ again by the justice system and the

police force. the police force that's — police force. the police force that's on _ police force. the police force that's on nikki's case now, because somebody— that's on nikki's case now, because somebody forgot to tell us that they were going to apologise and then somebody forgot to tell us that they were going to use the old justice system — were going to use the old justice system. same old thing all the time. same _ system. same old thing all the time. same old _ system. same old thing all the time. same old thing. system. same old thing all the time. same old thing-— same old thing. does it feel like ou'll same old thing. does it feel like you'll spend _ same old thing. does it feel like you'll spend the _ same old thing. does it feel like you'll spend the rest _ same old thing. does it feel like you'll spend the rest of- same old thing. does it feel like you'll spend the rest of your - same old thing. does it feel like you'll spend the rest of your life | you'll spend the rest of your life campaigning about it? i will, i don't want this to happen to any other family. don't want this to happen to any otherfamily. i don't want this to happen to any other family-— other family. i can't bring nicky back down _ other family. i can't bring nicky back down her— other family. i can't bring nicky back down her nikki _ other family. i can't bring nicky back down her nikki back - other family. i can't bring nicky back down her nikki back but i other family. i can't bring nicky - back down her nikki back but other families— back down her nikki back but other families are suffering like me and hopefully— families are suffering like me and hopefully it's given them hope to carry— hopefully it's given them hope to carry on— hopefully it's given them hope to carry on fighting. —— i can't bring nikki _ carry on fighting. —— i can't bring nikki back — carry on fighting. —— i can't bring nikki back. it'sjust a shame about the justice — nikki back. it'sjust a shame about the justice system.— the justice system. thank you, sharon. thank _ the justice system. thank you, sharon. thank you. _ the justice system. thank you, sharon. thank you. thank- the justice system. thank you, j sharon. thank you. thank you. the justice system. thank you, - sharon. thank you. thank you. the mother there _ sharon. thank you. thank you. the mother there of _ sharon. thank you. thank you. the

mother there of nikki _ sharon. thank you. thank you. the mother there of nikki allan, - mother there of nikki allan, seven—year—old girl murdered in 1992. david boyd hasjust been sentenced for that merger, sentenced to 29 years in prison. she was expressing grave dissatisfaction, not just with the sentencing expressing grave dissatisfaction, notjust with the sentencing but also with the peace process, it is after after the murder. the police have responded with the following statement which is relatively lengthy, i will read some of it. "the man who murdered sunderland schoolgirl nikki allan, as an investigative team we've worked tirelessly to find the man responsible and crucial prove it can only be a boyd who murdered her that night. since 2017 we have taken more than 1200 statements, 2500 documents produced and over 5500 act created, dna, this was the crucial difference in the case, we were able to obtain dna from more than 800 men, travelling the length and breadth of the country to ultimately prove boyd

was responsible for stop in the last six years we've been supported by a team of amazing specialists and witnesses who have helped us in our pursuit of justice. witnesses who have helped us in our pursuit ofjustice. i would like to thank them as well as the residents of sunderland." a statement from the police and the work they've put into solving this case since 2017, there. nikki allan, who was murdered in 1992, a brutal and graphic outline of that murder given by the justice. thejudge who handed down of that murder given by the justice. the judge who handed down a sentence of 29 years to the 55—year—old david boyd, who murdered her. so of our breaking news now, david boyd has been sentenced to a minimum of 29 years for the murder of nikki allan in sunderland in october 1992. there is more on the bbc news website,

app, is more on the bbc news website, app, and literature right there will be a special programme on the case on bbc iplayer. you're watching bbc news. these are headlines. police investigating the disappearance of madeleine mccann a certain reservoir in portugal. rolf harris dies at the age of 93. and the uk plans to widen the number of prohibited animals in the ivory trade. sport now, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. hello from the bbc sport centre. police in spain have detained three people in connection with racist abuse directed at the real madrid footballer, viniciuer, during a match on sunday.