Nikki Allan killer David Boyd appeals conviction

The man convicted of murdering Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan has launched an appeal against his sentence.

David Boyd, 55, was handed a life sentence in May nearly 30 years after he murdered seven year old Nikki in 1992, requiring he serve a minimum of 29 years in prison.

Nikki’s family, let down by police, were left fighting for over three decades to bring her killer to justice, with George Heron having been wrongly accused in the process.

Her mother Sharon Henderson told the media: “I was shocked when I was told that he was appealing against the conviction. He had his opportunity to protest his innocence in court. But he did not say a word.” She added: “I am not sure how it works, but maybe he wants to get a day out of prison and in court.”

In addition to the murder of Nikki, Boyd had also been convicted of several sexual offenses against children within the 30 year period of having committed the crime.