THE mother of a schoolgirl who was murdered nearly 20 years ago has appeared in court charged with criminal damage.

Sharon Henderson, 45, of Rosslynn Avenue, Ryhope, Sunderland, pleaded not guilty to the charge at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

She is accused of damaging a Citroen van on September 1, this year.

Mrs Henderson is the mother of Nikki Allan, who was beaten and stabbed to death at the age of seven in October 1992.

Nikki’s body was found in the basement of a derelict building, 300 yards from her home in Sunderland.

Nikki’s killer has not yet been brought to justice and her mother has fought tirelessly to reopen the case.

Yesterday, Mrs Henderson appeared before magistrates wearing a T-shirt printed with a picture of her daughter and the words Justice for Nikki.

She was granted unconditional bail until the case returns to court for trial on NoRecovery can continue vember 15.