Exclusive web story |  | Sharon Henderson | |
A mother's story...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. Arrest of a neighbourA house-to-house inquiry resulted in the eventual arrest of a neighbour, George Heron. Under police questioning, Heron admitted killing Nikki. But during his trial in October 1993, the Judge threw out the confession saying detectives had used "oppressive methods" to obtain it. Heron was found not guilty. For 14 years Sharon has been fighting tirelessly to find Nikki's murderer and bring them to justice. Now the police are reviewing the evidence, and one of the country's leading solicitors is convinced that Sharon has got a case. Inside Out takes Sharon back to the murder scene and investigates the case. Return to Wear GarthBack in 1993 Sharon Henderson was a single mum bringing up four children on the Wear Garth estate, close to where Nikki died. On the night of the murder, Nikki and her mum had visited her grandfather, who also lived in the Wear Garth flats. "I feel physically sick. I know she was crying for me, crying for mam, and I just cannot get that vision out of my head... I just picture her little body in the corner." | Sharon on returning to the murder scene |
But Nikki had decided to return home alone before her mother. It was a short 150 yard walk down a corridor, but she never made it back to the flat. Her body was found outside the derelict Old Exchange building, 300 yards from her home. After Heron was found not guilty of the murder, fighting broke out in court and Sharon passed out. Even now she can't remember a lot about the next few years. Search for justiceTwelve years ago Sharon sued George Heron in the civil courts for battery of a child resulting in her death. The proof of evidence is lesser in the civil courts. Heron did not contest the case and Sharon won. Now she wants the police to re-examine DNA evidence to see if Heron should be brought back to trial or eliminated from further enquiries.  | | Looking for answers - Sharon Henderson, mother of Nikki |
Since the murder science has moved on and Nikki's case is now being re-examined by Northumbria Police's cold case team. They hope that new DNA techniques could lead to the breakthrough Sharon is so desperate for. Sharon has also been meeting her new solicitor who deals with high profile cases. But she's frustrated at the lack of progress: "I just feel as though I'm just poor little Sharon stuck in the house waiting for the phone but I'm Nikki's mum and I want justice."
Det Supt Steve Howes understands Sharon's desire to move on: "I understand that she needs closure and I hope this review gives her that but at this stage its far too early to say." Read Sharon's story and her interview with Anne Ming
Double jeopardy | The double jeopardy law dated back 800 years to the Middle Ages. It ruled that a person acquitted by a jury could not be tried again on the same charge. Ann Ming contested the double jeopardy rule. She wrote to the Law Commission, (which advises the government on legal reform), and approached the Home Secretary. She also argued her case with members of the House of Lords. In 2001 the Law Commission announced a review of the law. A major breakthrough came under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which allowed the quashing of an acquittal if "new and compelling" evidence was produced. The case of Ann Ming's daughter, Julie Hogg, was the first referred to the Court of Appeal under the new Act. It was the first time that a retrial and conviction was achieved for a double jeopardy case. |
Double jeopardy The 'double jeopardy' law prevents someone from being tried twice for the same crime. However, it may still be possible for Heron to face a new trial thanks to a change. Ann Ming, from Teesside, has been a long time campaigner for the double jeopardy law to be scrapped. She has become a close friend of Sharon Henderson in her battle for justice. Ann's daughter, Julie Hogg, went missing from her Billingham home in 1989. The 22-year-old's body was eventually found behind a bath panel. Local man Billy Dunlop was charged with her murder, but acquitted after a trial. Ann campaigned for years to change the law stopping people being tried twice for the same offence. Nine years later Dunlop confessed to the crime and was jailed for perjury. He become the first man to be tried again for murder - and has been jailed for life. Closure?Sharon Henderson has come so far but still, she faces an agonising wait.
Going back to court could now be an option but will DNA evidence be strong enough to identify Nikki's killer? Sharon is determined to get the answers she needs: "I will get closure because I will not give up until I've got justice for Nikki."
Victim Support help
For a full list of Victim Support services in the North East and Cumbria, click here. Links relating to this story:The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites | 
Inside Out - North East: Monday November 6, 2006
