Police chiefs have apologised to the mum of little Nikki Allan whose murder went unsolved for 30 years.
Officers have also said sorry to George Heron, the man wrongfully accused of killing the seven-year-old girl.
The real killer, paedophile David Boyd, was finally convicted last week – three decades after attacking Nikki with a brick and stabbing her 37 times in 1992.
Praising Nikki’s mum Sharon Henderson, Northumbria police Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson said: “She deserves enormous credit for the relentless pursuit of justice for her daughter.
“She kept it in the public domain which was really helpful for our inquiries.
“I am truly sorry for mistakes that were made in the 1992 investigation and I am sorry for the length of time it has taken to get justice for the family. I cannot imagine the impact on them over the course of the last 30 years.”
The officer has offered to meet Sharon and her relatives to express the apology in person.
He has also written to Mr Heron, 53, who was put on trial for murder in 1993. ACC Simpson’s letter says: “I wish to apologise for the mistakes in the investigation and I hope... the conviction of Mr Boyd will allow you to move on with your life.”
At the 1993 trial, the judge said Mr Heron had denied having any involvement in the murder 120 times during three days of “oppressive” police interviews before seemingly making a confession.
The judge ruled the “confession” was inadmissible as evidence and Mr Heron was acquitted. Detectives later said they were not looking for anyone else.
Nikki’s mum kept fighting for justice and turned detective herself. Sharon told last week of her heartache knowing the killer was at large for so long.
A cold case review and DNA advances led to Boyd being arrested in 2018 and charged in 2022. He was 25 when he lured Nikki away from the flats in Sunderland’s East End where she lived and murdered her in a nearby derelict building.
He also indecently assaulted a nine-year-old girl in 1999. Boyd, 55, from Stockton-on-Tees, is due to be sentenced at Newcastle crown court on May 23.
