Another neighbour in the Wear Garth block of flats, George Heron, was charged with her murder in 1992 but found not guilty in 1993. Northumbria Police relaunched the investigation in 2017 and identified “inconsistencies” surrounding Mr Boyd, who was also one of the last people to see Nikki alive.
Jurors watched footage of his arrest and heard transcripts of his police interviews in which he denied any involvement in the murder.
He stated that he saw Nikki alone at 21.30 and denied any reference to two girls in his previous statements.
He also explained how he entered the Old Exchange building and was searching for wood to make a pigeon hut. The jurors learned that this was the same point of entry used by the killer, and Nikki’s blood was found on the windowsill.
Boyd informed officers he went to a chip shop before coming home to watch TV and have a bath. He remembers seeing Nikki when it was still light outside and didn’t think anything of it when he later found out she was missing. He admits to smoking marijuana which made him slow and not think to inform the police.
He also suggested that police may have altered his statement and admitted uncertainty about his own honesty during the investigations.
In an interview on April 18, 2018, Mr. Boyd admitted to spitting off his third-floor veranda, which he often did, after his lawyer was shown DNA evidence that matched his on Nikki’s t-shirt and leggings. He suggested that the only way this could be possible was if Nikki was standing underneath him at the time. However, when asked more about the DNA, Mr. Boyd declined to answer any further questions.
The trial continues.
