A paedophile who stabbed and bludgeoned a seven-year-old girl to death over 30 years ago has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 29 years.

David Boyd, 55, led Sunderland schoolgirl Nikki away from outside the block of flats where she lived shortly before 10pm on the evening of October 7, 1992.

Her body was discovered the following morning in the then-derelict Old Exchange Building near to her family home at Wear Garth.

Read more: Video shows moment Nikki Allan Sunderland murder accused is arrested

The Northern Echo: Nikki AllanNikki Allan (Image: Contributor)

She had been struck with a brick and stabbed multiple times.

Boyd, a neighbour of Nikki and her family, hid his despicable crime for more than three decades – compounding the family’s grief and despair.

He was caught due to the determination of her mother, Sharon Henderson, and forensic advancements that enabled police to detect a DNA profile on Nikki’s clothing that matched Boyd when the case was reviewed in 2017.

Read more: Man accused of murdering Nikki Allan ‘admits fantasies of young girls'

Boyd, of Chesterton Court, Norton, Teesside, was subsequently arrested and later charged with her murder.

He was found guilty following a three-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The Northern Echo: David Boyd at the time of the killingDavid Boyd at the time of the killing (Image: Contributor)

Read next:

* Nikki Allan murder trial jury hears of find of new DNA evidence

* Nikki Allan: Jury in David Boyd murder trial told how body was found

* Nikki Allan: Jurors see photos and sketches of suspect David Boyd

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Trial judge, Mrs Justice Christina Lambert told Boyd: “Your purpose in luring Nikki away to the old exchange building was sexual.

“There could be no benign reason for you tricking Nikki into going with you to an old derelict building.

“Her terror as you stalked her in that old Exchange building is unimaginable.

“Your attack was brutal.

“The discovery of Nikki Allan’s body and the search for her killer has shocked and bewildered this community for over 31 years.

“You must have thought with some relief that you had got away with it.”