A man with a long history of violent mental illness has pleaded guilty to murdering west Auckland ACC worker, Janet Pike.

Mrs Pike was stabbed in her ACC office after refusing to grant Johnny Manu a $350 payment.

Manu became agitated after Mrs Pike said he would need an assessment before any money could qualify for the payment.

Manu returned twice to the ACC office, then went to the Warehouse store, which was nearby, and bought a large cook’s knife. He then returned to the ACC office where Mrs Pike worked. Manu stabbed Mrs Pike to death.

Manu has a history of repeated violence going back some 20 years. In 1987 he stabbed a man in the chest at the door of his west Auckland home because he believed the man had upset a friend.

In 1994 he stabbed a bank teller in the hand after being refused a credit card.

Manu is a diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic and has a history of frequent stays in psychiatric institutions. Lately however, he has been cared for through community mental health services.

Through his lawyer, Manu yesterday expressed remorse for killing Mrs Pike and now plans to write a letter to the Pike family apologising for the killing.

Steve Pike, the murdered woman’s husband, says that it is too late for apologies now. He says Manu destroyed his life, her mum’s life, and her sister’s life.

Manu will reappear for sentencing in three weeks.

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