 | Read Sharon Henderson and Ann Ming's stories |
Two mothers' stories...Fourteen years ago Nikki Allan, a seven-year-old girl, was murdered on Wear Garth estate in Sunderland. It was a crime of extreme brutality. Nikki's body was found in a derelict building - she had been battered over the head and stabbed 37 times. Now her mother, Sharon Henderson, is hoping to find Nikki's killer and bring them to justice. The Inside Out website presents an exclusive transcript of a discussion between Sharon and her friend Ann Ming, whose daughter was also murdered. Ann Ming's case set a legal precedent in September 2006 when her daughter's killer was sentenced under a change to the double jeopardy rule which had previously prevented the same person being tried twice for the same crime. This is the story of two mothers united in grief and a fighting spirit. Getting a conviction ... Ann: The conviction was just a relief after so long. It's a relief to know that he's behind bars for the killing and it does give us a bit of satisfaction. People don't see the emotional side...  | | Ann Ming battled to change the double jeopardy rule |
Sharon: I probably wouldn't have been here 'cos you've given me the strength. You've kept us right. Ann: I know how much you wanted the double jeopardy law to change as well. Sharon: You've taken me out of that depression by giving me advice. You were the first person I'd met to have an acquittal so we could relate to each other. Ann: I was still apprehensive that the law would change, but it's still going to be very difficult to get a retrial. At the end of the day you've got a chance where we had no chance before. Sharon: There's better hope now. Ann: People are seeing our campaign to change the law, but they don't see the human side of it. I've had my depths of depression like you when I've thought 'nothing's ever going to change' - we're never going to get a conviction. But it just gives us that bit more closure. I just hope everything comes alright for you, Sharon. Sharon: It will because I won't give in. I've learned that you've got to fight on.  | | Fighting for the truth - Sharon Henderson |
Ann: I do feel a bit of relief now... The knot that I feel, the churning - I don't think that'll ever go, but now I feel that I've done all that I possibly can for my daughter. I felt like it was surreal. It's like the end of an era COs we've fought long and so hard. When we first met, you were in a really bad state, Sharon. I felt really sorry for you. You were locked in the depths of despair. I knew what it was like to be in your position, and we could relate to each other at the time. We'd both had no justice. Moving on...Sharon: At the time I didn't have anyone to turn to and my answer was at the end of the bottle. I was just a wreck at the time. We just bonded COs there was hope there for me, seeing someone else was fighting. "You feel like you've done everything to get justice for your daughter but at the end of the day, mine and Sharon's daughter are never coming home." | Ann Ming |
Before I spoke to people, I didn't feel there was anyone who felt like me. You feel you're like the only one in the world. And when I spoke to you, I felt you were just like me - the same pain, the same torture. Ann: We've both lost a daughter. We've both had no justice. You realise that there's other families out there with experiences like ours. You need your inner strength to fight on. Before, you were just living not coping. Sharon: Not even living, just existing. Ann: Look at how you are now. You've got yourself back on track. you were just in your shell. Now you're really confident. Sharon: Like a fighter - fighting for what I want, I'm not frightened to say things to the police and media. Ann: Any victim's family will tell anyone that we're doing the life sentence - and that means life.  | | Nikki Allan's final homework completed before she died |
Sharon: To the end... Ann: You want him (the killer) to suffer like you've suffered. But whether people like that suffer, we'll never know. Sharon: I fought to get here. I'm still here. I'm not taking any more tablets or getting drunk or wanting to commit suicide. I've gone past all that. Ann: You've got your inner strength back. Try to think positively. You're on a journey now... Just try to stay focused - and keep your feet on the ground. Return to main story Links relating to this story:The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites | 
Inside Out - North East: Monday November 6, 2006
