Emotional outburst in St. John's courtroom

Emotions erupted in provincial court this morning as Gerald Edmund Pike, 45, was led into a court room on charges of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl Tuesday in St. John's.

The parents of the young girl were in the court room when Sheriff's officers brought Pike in, the mother crying uncontrollably. The girl's father shouted at Pike, "You're not safe," and put his fingers across his throat in a slashing motion.

Sherriff's officers escorted the accused back out of the room until Judge Greg Brown was on the bench.

Pike's case was set over until Nov. 6.

As he was led out of court, the girl's father again made gestures at the accused. Brown told him he's not permitted to do that in court and the father apologized.

"He raped my daughter," the father said to reporters.

Pike is charged with two counts of sexual assault, theft under $5,000 for allegedly stealing property from the girl and one count of breaching probation.

Police received a report of a sexual assault on a female Tuesday in the area of The Rooms parking lot off Harvey Road shortly before 11 p.m.

The RNC issued an advisory Wednesday asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact police.

Given the sensitive nature of sex-related offences and privacy concerns regarding the identification of the female victim, the RNC said it will not be releasing any other details about the complainant.

Diana: - October 26, 2012 at 13:31:53

JULIA- "My 16 year old daughter is safe at home at 11pm on a school night...just sayin'.." You should really reconsider posting comments or even sharing your ideas with anyone in the future. Clearly you are extremely ignorant and backward to leave such a stupid comment. Violent crime can happen at anytime of day or night. She has every right to be where she was (around the corner from the RNC). It’s especially disgusting to read such a comment from a woman. Blaming the victim….yeah, bet you’re a stellar role model for your daughter! I hope the girl involved doesn’t blame herself in any way. And has the strength to over look the ignorant people she may come across in the future.

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Les: - October 20, 2012 at 15:55:09

"My 16 year old daughter is safe at home at 11pm on a school night..just sayin'..." This is the most ignorant comment I have ever read. Blaming an assault on a parent for not having what you feel is an appropriate curfew? Do you think this couldn't happen to your daughter because of your rules? So shifting the blame to this seems to make it easier for you to realize that these things do happen, anytime of the day in safe areas (such as near a police station). This ignorance level will do nothing to help the problem. I am outraged at this incident - I am also sixteen and have to walk home from school or hanging out with friends because my family doesn't have a car, and not everyone is so lucky. The real problem here is clearly the person who committed a criminal act, not a lack of age-appropriate parenting. We should, as teenagers, be able to feel safe in a relatively small city. There is no difference in 11 PM than 6 PM. If it's dark, it's dark. It people are devious they will be deviant. I think you should re-evaluate your outlook with this comment, it will perpetuate ignorant attitudes and thus the naivety of society.

Sydney

- October 21, 2012 at 15:22:51

I agree Les, that was quite ignorant...there's no definite time when a sexual assault can occur. It can occur at 3 PM just as easily as it could happen at 11PM. It doesn't even matter if it's dark or not. If a perpetrator sees an opportunity, they'll go for it. It doesnt matter where you are, or how late you're out, things can happen. This happened on the police station's doorstep!!! The only thing we CAN do is teach our children how to stay safe, (use the buddy system, avoid dark and isolated areas at night, etc). This wont stop incidents totally from happening, but kids will be aware of the dangers and make appropriate decisions that will keep them safer.
Steph

- October 23, 2012 at 10:31:02

Well said, Les. At 16 I was often out till 11 and later but, unfortunately, these sick acts do happen at all hours, so the time is not the issue. It could also have just as easily happened to a 25 year old walking home from a bus stop at that time..Either way, it's wrong and he should receive maximum penalties. God be with that young girl whose life will be forever haunted by what happened to her. Your wisdom shines through at such a young age and you articulate your words very well. There are adults out there who do not demonstrate such intelligence..

Don: - October 20, 2012 at 08:34:26

Anyone who does this to my daughter will never see daylight again. And the bleeding hearts can go to hell.

Jerry: - October 20, 2012 at 04:16:29

Guilty or not, his reputation is forever tarnished. If guilty, the man deserves to be punished to the maximum extent of the law. While I understand the nature of the crime, the severity of sexual assault varies extensively from touching to full out rape. I certainly understand and support the parents position. As difficult as it may be though, at this point, they need to let the court rule and judge accordingly. It would be an absolute tragedy to have the fathers own misconduct at the mercy of the law. If the sentence doesn't reflect the severity of the case, then an appeal must be made. Unfortunately, it's a slow painful process but in any case, I hope justice is served appropriately for the young girl and her parents.

julia: - October 19, 2012 at 19:14:53

My 16 year old daughter is safe at home at 11pm on a school night..just sayin'...

a mother, an aunt, goodmother, and ...: - October 19, 2012 at 18:26:12

CBC reports: "She said her daughter was able to call 911 just before he allegedly assaulted her. The mother said you can hear her daughter's screams on the phone call to the dispatcher". He's lucky he's got the law to protect him from what he deserves.

John w.: - October 19, 2012 at 18:01:01

The law is the law and must be unheld as so currently stated. Until it is changed outburts of this nature are forrbidden and under no condition be tolerated by the courts. This display of anger should be looked at for what it is.. an act of a threatening nature. The courts should act accordingly without bias. That is the law, as it now stands. The courts regardless of the nature of the alleged threat must act accordingly otherwise justice is not the same for all.

Bob: - October 19, 2012 at 15:21:55

While I can understand why folks would feel this way *IF* he was convicted, it alarms me that with so few details, and lack of any conviction at this time, the lynch mobs are out in full force. Until such a time as he has been proven guilty, folks would to well to not pass judgement until all facts have been considered. As it stands now, for better or for worse, he is presumed innocent. If we forget that, we lose all protection afforded under the law (even when innocent).

robroy: - October 19, 2012 at 14:49:37

My God A jesture ? I don't think I could restrain myself.

up front: - October 19, 2012 at 14:33:24

with you donna

Donna: - October 19, 2012 at 14:22:12

This is the most disgusting, degrading act any person can imagine possible for anyone they know, unimaginable for a parent of a daughter who is not yet an adult? It would be hard for any normal individual to understand how a grown man could do these things to an adult, much less a child? My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, and any family that faces challenges of this sort. Regarding the gestures? What less emotions would any true parent feel for a person that would harm their child in this manner?

Jack: - October 19, 2012 at 13:56:27

Whether the Judge whom typically shows lack of empathy and understanding for victims will not tolerate threats, its about time parents of sexual abuse victims stand up to sexual abusers. In other words, Gerald Pike got what he deserved. Otherwise, the Judge is not truly a human at all. That's because humans are suppose to show compassion and understanding.

Peter: - October 19, 2012 at 13:50:07

As the father of two daughters, I don't blame him at all for expressing his emotions so freely.

Keith: - October 19, 2012 at 13:11:49

I certainly understand the man's emotion, but to mime slashing a throat is too much to be tolerated in a court of law. The accused, if guilty, committed a disgusting act of predatory violence and should be punished and rehabilitated. That said, he nevertheless is entitled not to be threatened with violence by any other citizen. Obviously we are all only human and can't be expected to keep our emotions in check at all times, but that is what the law is for: calm, rational evaluation of the incident and its repercussions. I sincerely hope the father is not charged with uttering threats, but if he is he can blame no one but himself.

Mike: - October 19, 2012 at 12:10:34

I don't blame the father for his actions. Let him have five minutes with the coward.

John: - October 19, 2012 at 11:58:31

Don't blame him, sounds like he kept his cool better than a lot of people would, thankfully the father didn't do anything more extreme and get himself in trouble. If the suspect is guilty, he certainly deserves to be afraid

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The Telegram - News - Local

Emotional outburst in St. John's courtroom

Parents of sex assault complainant overcome with emotion

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