Hudson found guilty of Pike's murder

'I hope to just let go of Nicholas'

Stephen Hudson was today found guilty of murdering Nicholas Pike. It can now be revealed he is already in prison serving time for another crime.

Hudson was remanded in custody in the High Court at Wellington and will be sentenced in the New Year, Justice Ronald Young said.

Mr Pike, 22, had not been seen since March 2002 when he went into isolated country off the Desert Rd with Hudson, who was his boss in the drugs trade.

His body was never found.

At the time, Hudson was on the run from the police for a violent attack and drug offences. He was arrested two months later.

Hudson's history of serious violence can now be revealed.

He is in jail, serving 12 years in jail for a December 2001 stabbing, and firearms offences.

Outside the court, Mr Pike's mother, Evelyn, said the guilty verdict was a relief and she hoped to finally let go of her son.

"I never knew what to expect. It will be a relief to know what did happen to Nicholas and who was responsible," she said.

"I hope to just let go of Nicholas."

Mrs Pike said she had never held a funeral service or memorial for her son and that was unlikely to change.

"There's no body, no remains to say goodbye to," she said.

His body was not likely to be found, she said.

"I don't expect him (Hudson) to make a comment about that."

Mr Pike's father, Gregory, said the family was happy with the police investigation and he would return to court for Hudson's sentencing.

Hudson's High Court trial heard accounts of his activities from about 70 witnesses, including players in the provincial drug trade and convicted murderers.

He liked to invite those who crossed him into the wilderness, or down an isolated back road, as Mr Pike and a man who slept with his girlfriend discovered.

Daniel Cook, 23, at the time of the November 2001 attack, was not keen to go to a Tutaki Rd rendezvous, on the northern outskirts of Palmerston North.

Hudson's girlfriend lured him to the address, where Hudson was waiting with a hammer, a cohort and a bad temper.

Mr Cook tried to drive off, but was hit about the head "a couple of times" and grabbed by the throat.

Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk told the High Court trial Hudson "stands apart because he is capable of grievous violence".

"He is brazen. He is bold. He manages to evade capture."

While having a special talent for violent misdeeds , Hudson was also good at escaping, and staying at large.

Soon after knocking Mr Cook about, Hudson spent five months on the run from police, who wanted him in connection with a stabbing and drug offences.

While police were hunting for him, he found time to kill Mr Pike.

He was recaptured in Tauranga, after a large part of the central city was cordoned off and an armed offenders squad marksman in a helicopter cruised the neighbourhood.

Hudson did not try to use a .357 calibre pistol in his possession. A large amount of cannabis was seized.

While awaiting trial, Hudson escaped from Manawatu Prison at Linton with cellmate Michael Paul McKegg, cutting through a window frame with a hacksaw blade, then using blankets to cover a razor-wire fence.

McKegg turned himself in at the prison after 26 days on the run. Hudson, due to face an attempted murder charge, was re-captured in Tauranga six days later.

He was handcuffed and flanked by two female police officers when he appeared in court to face two drugs charges and a charge of escaping from custody.

He pleaded guilty to all three charges.

- NZPA