Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan's killer going nowhere as appeal against conviction fails
David Boyd murdered seven-year-old in 1992 but escaped justice for 30 years
by Sophie Doughty · ChronicleLiveChild killer David Boyd has failed in his bid to get his murder conviction overturned.
The paedophile was jailed for life last year after he was found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Nikki Allan in 1992. But soon after he was locked up for life for the harrowing crime, Boyd lodged an appeal his conviction and sentence.
Today the Chronicle can reveal that the application was recently thrown out by the Court of Appeal, meaning Boyd's original sentence will still stand.
A spokesperson said: "This case did not proceed to the full court."
Seven-year-old Nikki's body was found in a derelict building the morning after she went missing near her family's home in Sunderland. Who killed the youngster remained a mystery for almost 30 years, until a DNA breakthrough enabled detectives to link now 57-year-old Boyd, from Stockton, to his horrific crime.
As he stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court a jury heard how Boyd tricked Nikki into going with him, with the intention of sexually abusing her. When she screamed, he then forced her into the dark disused Exchange building where he smashed her skull with a brick and stabbed her 37 times.
In May last year he was jailed for life with a minimum of 29 years behind bars.
The judge, Mrs Justice Lambert told Boyd: “You decided to kill her, to silence her and prevent her from telling anyone that you had sexually assaulted her or attempted to do so. It would not have taken the seven-year-old long to appreciate she was trapped in that cold and dark building and that you were coming through the window to get her.
“She was in a cold, pitch black building. Her terror at what was to befall her as you stalked her in that building is unimaginable. This must have been a truly terrifying experience for this seven-year-old girl."
The court also heard how Boyd had previous convictions for sex crimes against children.
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