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<\/p>\nA MONSTER jailed for murdering Nikki Allan after a 31-year mystery has launched a freedom bid.<\/p>\n
Paedophile David Boyd, 55, has appealed his conviction over the murder of the seven-year-old who disappeared in 1992.<\/p>\n
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Boyd was told he must serve a minimum of 29 years before being considered for parole.<\/p>\n
But he's now lodged an appeal against conviction and the length of his sentence. <\/p>\n
Nikki's mum Sharon Henderson told the Mirror: "I was shocked when I was told that he was appealing against the conviction. <\/p>\n
"He had his opportunity to protest his innocence in court. But he did not say a word." <\/p>\n
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Sharon, 56, has called for a public inquiry into the original Northumbria Police probe. <\/p>\n
She's said: "Life should mean life. He should never be freed."<\/p>\n
Boyd was found guilty of luring Nikki to her death in a derelict building in Sunderland on October 7, 1992. <\/p>\n
Once inside, the 55-year-old, whose partner was Nikki's babysitter, bludgeoned the youngster with a brick and stabbed her 37 times in the heart.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Boyd then dragged Nikki downstairs "into the blackness of the basement" by her legs before dumping her tiny body in a darkened corner.<\/p>\n Her shoes and coat were discovered the following morning by people searching for her.<\/p>\n Northumbria Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness, who met Sharon to discuss the case, added: "This man has put her through a horrendous ordeal and it is time he faced up to his actions. <\/p>\n "Sharon is a brave, fearless campaigner for justice. I hope the courts do the right thing and throw out this appeal and end this woman's torment."<\/p>\n Newcastle Crown Court heard that Boyd was a cold-blooded killer who had a long history of sexual offences involving young girls. <\/p>\n But he had to be jailed according to guidelines in place at the time of the offence.<\/p>\n Nikki was last seen by a witness playing outside a block of flats where she lived and skipping behind Boyd.<\/p>\n New DNA techniques extracted traces of Nikki's clothing in a breakthrough that ultimately led police to Boyd.<\/p>\n The schoolgirl's killing led to a 30-year mystery that saw innocent\u00a0man\u00a0George Heron stand trial for\u00a0murder.<\/p>\n Mr Heron had to leave Sunderland to begin a new life, despite being found not guilty.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/TM-comp-Russell-Brand-STAGE-v2.jpg\")
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