Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

No body has ever been found, but the police are pleased someone has finally been held responsible for the death of a young Palmerston North drug dealer.

A High Court jury in Wellington on Wednesday found Stephen Hudson, 39, guilty of murdering 22-year-old Nicholas Pike near the Desert Road in 2002.

The inquiry head, Detective Sergeant Dave Clifford, says that after seven years working on the case, it's pleasing to finally have a result. He says he hopes one day they'll find Mr Pike's body.

The Crown case was that Hudson killed him over a drug debt and because he believed he'd informed on him to the police. Members of Hudson's family said he was with them in Masterton at the time the murder occurred.

Mr Pike's parents were in court for the verdict, and his mother Evelyn says they're pleased to finally have closure and to be able to try to move on with their lives. However she is disappointed her son's body has never been found and the family hasn't been able to have a funeral.

But Hudson's birth mother, Christina Billing, says the family told the truth and they feel the justice system has let them down. She says her family and God know her son is innocent, and an appeal may be lodged.

Justice Young remanded Hudson in custody for sentence in the New Year.

Listen to Checkpoint item