Body language expert reveals tell-tale sign exposing killer David Boyd’s anxiety as he’s quizzed on Nikki Allan’s murder
MONSTER David Boyd’s anxiety is exposed during his police interview on Nikki Allan’s brutal murder, claims a body language expert.
Chilling footage of the killer‘s interrogation has been released, during which tell-tale signs of stress can be spotted, according to this professional analysis.
Although the convicted child murderer appears calm while being quizzed on the seven-year-old’s death, his legs tell a different story.
Dr Cliff Lansley, from the Emotional Intelligence Academy, told The Sun Online: “On the surface Boyd appears relaxed and calm, yet inside we can be sure he is experiencing high levels of anxiety.
“It’s his body language that gives this away.
“When we are anxious or fearful our muscles often become tense, since anxiety primes our bodies to react to threats.
“It does this by charging the large muscles in the legs with blood to prepare ourselves for running away.
“If we don’t use up that energy by running, which Boyd can’t do here, then it needs to be released in some other way.
“The leg muscles may twitch, shake, or tremble.
“Tremors that are caused by anxiety are known as psychogenic tremors – usually four or five movements per second – and that’s exactly what we have with Boyd.
“Even though the movement is obvious to us, Boyd is probably unaware of the signal he is sending.
“The interviewing officers may not notice this either if the legs are hidden under the table.
“What we don’t know is whether Boyd is anxious because he is involved in a police interview, worried about being disbelieved, or fearful of being caught in a lie.”
This comes after Boyd was arrested for murdering Nikki Allan having walked free for over three decades.
The 55-year-old lured the young girl to her death on October 7, 1992 inside a derelict warehouse 300 yards from their home in Sunderland‘s East End.
Once inside, Boyd bludgeoned the youngster with a brick and stabbed her 37 times in the heart.
After the brutal attack, the killer dumped Nikki’s body “into the blackness of the basement” by her legs and she was discovered there the following day.
The schoolgirl’s killing led to a 30-year mystery that saw innocent man George Heron stand trial for murder.
New advances in DNA saw Boyd finally arrested in 2018 as samples found on Nikki’s cycling shorts and T-shirt was a one-in-28,000 match to the his.
Footage of his arrest showed the convicted paedo answering the door to officers topless while clutching his dog.
After being cuffed on suspicion of murder, Boyd was heard asking “what about my dog” as he tried to make arrangements for the pet.
Boyd also said to officers: “I haven’t got any involvement in it,” but then asked: “What evidence have you got anyway?”
After a three week trial, Boyd was found guilty of murder at Newcastle Crown Court amid cries of “yes” and “you b*****d” from her family.
Boyd, who was previously called David Smith or David Bell, had been “well known to Nikki’s family” at the time of the murder.
He was then 25 years old and lived in the same block of flats as Nikki and knew the building where she was killed “very well”.
His girlfriend was also Nikki’s regular babysitter.
Richard Wright KC, prosecuting at Boyd’s trial, told the court a final sighting of Nikki showed her “unwittingly skipping to her death” with a man.
He said this evidence suggested she was “not abducted” but instead “lured away by her killer”.
At around 10pm, a woman, whose flat overlooked the Exchange Building where Nikki’s body was found, heard a “short lived but piercing scream from a girl”.
A second witness, who worked with Nikki’s mum at the local fish factory, heard a sound she at first believed was a “cat wailing” or the wind, it was said.
Around this time, it became clear Nikki was missing and a search was launched for the youngster.
Her body was tragically discovered the next day after a couple noticed her purple coat and red shoe in the grounds of the derelict building.
Boyd, of Chesterton Court, Norton, will be sentenced at a later date.
Assistant Chief Constable Brad Howe, of Northumbria Police, said yesterday: “Today is about justice – for Nikki and her family.
“We thank them for their patience and strength over the last 30 years and our thoughts very much continue to be with them.
“David Boyd hid his crime, lying about his involvement and prolonging the family’s suffering, knowing all along that he had taken the life of their little girl.
“The investigation into Nikki’s murder has been one of the most complex and comprehensive ever conducted by Northumbria Police.
“I’m extremely proud of the investigative team and all those who played their part in securing this conviction. I further hope this sends a strong message that no matter how long ago an offence took place, we will do everything we can to see justice served.”