Neighbours in the frame as chilling murder trial unfolds
Man Cleared in ‘92 Now Back Under the Spotlight
Back in 1992, George Heron, a neighbour in the Wear Garth flats, was charged with the murder but found not guilty the following year. Fast forward to 2017, Northumbria Police reopened the case and zeroed in on “inconsistencies” surrounding another neighbour, Mr Boyd — one of the last people to see Nikki alive.
Jurors Watch Arrest Footage & Hear Denials
Jurors were shown gripping footage of Boyd’s arrest and police interviews. He repeatedly denied any involvement in Nikki’s murder. Boyd claimed he saw Nikki alone at 9.30pm and dismissed earlier mentions of “two girls” in his statements.
Strange Story of Wood, Pigeon Hut, and Blood Evidence
Boyd recounted entering the Old Exchange building searching for wood to build a pigeon hut — the same entrance linked to the killer. Crucially, Nikki’s blood was found on the windowsill there.
He told officers he visited a chip shop, then went home to watch TV and have a bath. Boyd remembers seeing Nikki while it was still light and admitted smoking marijuana, which he says dulled his senses and delayed any police tip-off.
In a twist, Boyd claimed the police might have altered his statements and admitted he wasn’t always truthful in the investigation.
DNA Evidence Raises Eyebrows
On April 18, 2018, Boyd admitted spitting off his third-floor veranda — something he often did — after being confronted with DNA matching his found on Nikki’s t-shirt and leggings. He suggested Nikki must have been standing beneath him then. When pressed further, he clammed up and refused to answer more questions.
The trial is ongoing and has gripped the community, with every new detail shedding fresh light on this dark case.
