Pike a long-time predator: Crown

OSHAWA -- Evidence seized by police after the arrest of a former teacher -- which includes numerous pictures of children -- is indicative of long-standing predatory behaviour toward young boys, a prosecutor contends.

Crown counsel Kent Saliwonchyk said the photos and documents, including application forms to adopt and act as a foster parent to children, show convicted pedophile Jeremy Pike has exhibited a long history of "grooming" children for sexual abuse.

Mr. Saliwonchyk is seeking to enter the material at the sentencing hearing for Mr. Pike, who has pleaded guilty to charges relating the sexual abuse of several young boys. The Crown has indicated it will seek a penitentiary term of 14 years.

"It's all material Mr. Pike has collected over the years mapping out his life's goal of coming into contact in one way or another with young boys," Mr. Saliwonchyk told Ontario Court Justice Mary Teresa Devlin Friday.

"It's evidence of grooming."

Among the material the Crown sought to introduce were photos of Mr. Pike with children on a camping trip and at his former job as a recreation director on a cruise ship.

Defence lawyer Eric Lewis objected to some of the material, questioning its relevance. He said none of the children depicted in the camping and cruise ship photos are alleged to be victims of assaults. Other material such as teaching certificates and evidence of Mr. Pike's past involvement with children can be interpreted positively, he said.

"It's going to be my position at the end of the day that Mr. Pike has devoted his life to teaching children . . . that's evidence of good character, not bad character," he said.

But Mr. Saliwonchyk said Mr. Pike's long record of volunteering and working with children does not indicate altruism, but something far more sinister.

"It's a lifestyle for Mr. Pike to feed his appetite for young boys," he told the judge.

Mr. Pike, 35, of Bowmanville, was arrested in July 2005 and has been in custody since that time. Part of his sentencing hearing will be devoted to determining how much credit he's to be given for time served prior to his conviction.

At the time of his arrest he was a Grade 5 teacher at Glen Street Public School in south Oshawa. There is no evidence he abused any of his students, court heard.