Man charged with murder of girl, 7, stabbed to death 30 years ago

A man has been charged with the murder 30 years ago of Nikki Allan, pictured. (Reach)
A man has been charged with the murder 30 years ago of Nikki Allan, pictured. (Reach) (Reach)

A man has been charged with the murder of a seven-year-old girl who was stabbed to death 30 years ago.

Nikki Allan was found dead in the derelict Old Exchange Building near her family home in Sunderland on 8 October 1992. She had been stabbed 37 times.

On Monday, three decades after her body was found, David Thomas Boyd, 54, of Norton, County Durham, appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court charged with her murder.

Floral tributes to Nikki Allan left outside the Old Exchange Building in Sunderland, where her body was found in October 1992. (Reach)
Floral tributes to Nikki Allan left outside the Old Exchange Building in Sunderland, where her body was found in October 1992. (Reach) (Reach)

He was remanded in custody and will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday.

The seven-year-old had been at her grandparents’ flat in the same block that she lived, in the east end of Sunderland.

A man has appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court charged with the murder 30 years ago of a seven-year-old girl. (Google)
A man has appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court charged with the murder 30 years ago of a seven-year-old girl. (Google) (Google)

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While making the short journey home, she went missing and a search was launched.

She was found the following morning inside the then-derelict building after her coat and shoes were discovered.

Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable David Felton said: “This is an extremely tragic case and our thoughts very much continue to be with the family and friends of Nikki Allan.

Nikki Allan, seven, was found dead close to her home in Sunderland in October 1992. (Reach)
Nikki Allan, seven, was found dead close to her home in Sunderland in October 1992. (Reach) (Reach)

“A significant investigation has been ongoing ever since Nikki’s death 30 years ago.

“As with any unsolved cases of this nature, they are never closed. Our dedicated teams constantly review the evidence and follow any new investigative leads that may come to light.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Nikki’s family for their patience and co-operation and we will continue to offer them any support they may need.”

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