Police have apologised to an innocent man who was wrongly accused of the murder of Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki Allan after the real killer was convicted more than 30 years later.
Nikki was seven years old when she was savagely killed by David Boyd in 1992 who stabbed her multiple times and smashed her over the head with a brick. Her body was tragically found in the derelict Old Exchange building the following morning.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation which led to the force wrongly accusing innocent George Heron of her murder. He was arrested, charged and tried for the offence, before being cleared on the directions of the judge.
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Now the force has apologised to Mr Heron after the real killer, David Boyd, was convicted following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson said that he had written to say how "truly sorry" he was to Mr Heron for the "mistakes that were made."
"I have written a personal letter of apology to George on behalf of the police for the way he was treated during the [1992] investigation," he said.
"I am truly sorry for the mistakes that were made during the investigation and I am sorry for the length of time it has taken to get justice for the family. I can't imagine the impact on them over the last 30 years."
Boyd was finally brought to justice after advances in DNA led to his profile being found on Nikki’s clothes.
The letter which has been shared with Chronicle Live, states: "I have had the opportunity to read your Victim's Impact Statement and appreciate the effects your arrest, charge, and trial have had on you and has continued to have. On behalf of Northumbria Police, I would like to apologise for the mistakes that were made in the investigation and I hope, as you express in your statement, that the conviction of Mr Boyd will finally bring closure on this matter for you and allow you to move on with your life."
Boyd is due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court next week and is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Superintendent Lisa Theaker said the way the force interviews suspects has "changed massively" since Mr Heron was wrongly arrested and said that she is "relieved" police have now got the right person.
"We have had an officer speaking to George during the trial and I have spoken to George," she said.
"He has written a victim impact statement which will be read out at sentencing."
She continued: "The most overwhelming emotion for me is relief for [mum] Sharon and the family, that they have got the answers they have been waiting for for years. So absolute relief from my point of view that we have got the right person and he is now off the streets."
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