IOPC investigating complaints into Nikki Allan murder inquiry

The complaints, which were referred to us by the force, were submitted after David Boyd was convicted of Nikki’s murder in May 2023.

Following the failed prosecution of another suspect in 1993, the case remained unsolved for more than 30 years.

“Our investigation will look at the actions and decision-making of police involved in the murder investigation and subsequent homicide review,” said the IOPC.

“This will include the identification and elimination of suspects during the original investigation, as well as whether there were missed opportunities to identify David Boyd using DNA analysis sooner.”

IOPC Regional Director Emily Barry said: “My sincere sympathies are with Nikki’s family, who have lost a loved one in such horrific circumstances and then endured a 30-year wait to see justice served.

“Our investigation, which will be carried out independently of police, will be thorough and ensure the actions of police are thoroughly scrutinised.

“This is a complex and challenging case, not least because the passage of time means some of those involved in the original police investigation have since retired, but we will use all the resources available to us to ensure the family’s concerns are carefully investigated.

“We have been in contact with Nikki’s family to explain our role and will provide them with regular updates throughout our investigation.

“Our thoughts remain with all those affected by Nikki’s death.”

A formal complaint was lodged by Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) on behalf of Nikki’s mother Sharon Henderson.

The CWJ said police failures in the original investigation which focused on the wrong man, George Heron, left the case unsolved for over 30 years.

“It was only following increasingly desperate steps taken by Sharon Henderson that some 25 years later, proper resourcing was put into a fresh investigation by Northumbria Police which re-examined further leads she had identified,” it added.

The terms of reference of the complaint will examine:

• The failures in policing dating back to 1992, when the wrong man, George Heron, was arrested and prosecuted;
• Alleged failures following Heron’s acquittal to follow guidance in relation to conducting homicide reviews;
• Whether there was any issue of corruption by officers involved in the original investigations;

* Failures in the forensic strategy of Northumbria police during later investigations including both DNA opportunities and a review of the TIE (trace, interview, eliminate) strategy in respect of Boyd and his associates as well as others who were known to police in the locality in relation to sexual offences against children; and

• Alleged attempts by police officers to divert blame for such failures onto Nikki’s mother and whether that amounted to discriminatory treatment towards her.

Ms Henderson said: “This is the next stage of my campaign to get truth and justice and to hold those responsible accountable. I lost all trust in Northumbria Police and I now hope this independent investigation can lift the lid and expose incompetence and worse.”

Harriet Wistrich, solicitor and director for the CWJ, said; “It is extremely concerning that a child murderer who lived only three doors away from Nikki’s home, failed to come under the spotlight of the police for nearly three decades.

“Instead the police insisted their prime suspect had been acquitted on a technicality and failed to explore other suspects.

“It is outrageous that the bereaved mother of the deceased child should have suffered any blame or criticism and had to take increasingly desperate measures to get the police to do their job. I hope the IOPC will leave no stone unturned in exposing incompetence and wrongdoing.”