Police apologise to former Sunderland Nikki Allan suspect George Heron

George Heron was subject to 'oppressive' interviewing by officers on the original investigation three decades ago which led him to make a false confession, despite having denied any involvement in Nikki’s murder 120 times during three days of questioning.

Nikki’s body was discovered in a derelict building in Sunderland on October 8, 1992 the morning after she had been led away from the courtyard outside the block of flats where she lived. She had been badly beaten and stabbed multiple times. David Boyd was convicted of her murder after 30 years last week.

Read more: Nicki Allan cops 'truly sorry' for mum Sharon's 30-year wait for justice

A 1993 trial at Leeds Crown Court cleared Heron with a judge throwing out his confession. Mr Justice Mitchell said police had misrepresented evidence in their interviews and criticised their questioning.

George Heron (Image: Picture: NORTH NEWS AND PICTURES)

Heron was forced to flee Sunderland having had his life ruined. While on remand awaiting trial he became a figure of hate and was slashed across the face by another prisoner.

He now lives under a new identity and is believed to be in the South of England.

Offering a formal apology to the man they accused of murdering Nikki in 1992, Northumbria Police’s Assistance Chief Constable Alastair Simpson said: “I have written a personal letter of apology to George Heron on behalf of Northumbria Police for the way he was treated during the 1992 investigation but also for the impact on his life since then.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

The letter reads: “I have had the opportunity to read your Victim’s Impact Statement and appreciate the effects of your arrest, charge and trial had on you and continue to have.

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“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.”

The letter sent by Northumbria Police apologising to George Heron (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

George Heron’s statement will be heard during a sentencing hearing next week (May 23) when Nikki’s real killer David Boyd is expected to be handed a life sentence.

Detective Chief Superintendent, Lisa Theaker, who led on the fresh murder probe, said she has spoken to Mr Heron personally.

“It’s well publicised the interviews that were conducted back in the day were oppressive and some of the evidence was misrepresented and therefore George Heron confessed. We know the judge excluded that confession,” she said, adding officers had learnt from the mistakes of the 1992 probe.

Nikki Allan (Image: Contributor)

“The way that we interview suspects now has changed massively so peace interviewing was brought in as a result of significant failures in cases historically.”

Read next:

• Nikki's mother on incredible 30 year fight: 'How I tracked down daughter's killer'
• Mum's anger at how police errors allowed Nikki's killer to roam free for 30 years
• A look back at how cruel murder was solved after haunting a community for 30 years

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In his police interview Mr Heron guessed at what officers wanted him to say, offering answers, only to be corrected with “howay George” said repeatedly by the interviewing officers.

The initial investigation didn’t identify David Boyd as a suspect despite previous offences including breaching the peace in 1986 after approaching four children under 10 and asking one for a kiss.

ACC Simpson also said he was ‘truly sorry’ to Nikki’s family, including mum Sharon, for her 30-year wait for justice after she said police errors caused her “30 years of heartache”.