Boy, 14, charged with murder of British backpacker in New Zealand

Last updated at 12:26pm on 18th March 2008
A 14-year-old Maori boy was last night charged with the murder and aggravated robbery of
Scottish backpacker Karen Aim in New Zealand.

The youth appeared in court charged with beating the 26-year-old to death on January 17 as she walked home.

He was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on April 15.

His identity has been suppressed by the court.

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Battered to death: Karen Aim managed to whisper her name to officers

Speaking from the family home in Orkney this morning, Karen’s father Brian Aim, 51, said the family were “very glad” at the latest development.

He added: “It is a comfort to know somebody has been charged, but of course they are innocent until proven guilty.

“While it is a great comfort, that is overruled by the fact that it will not take Karen back.”

Police believe Karen was set upon after she challenged a vandalism attack at a nearby school.

Karen had been out in local bars that evening and was walking home
alone after stopping at a petrol station to get a drink and a pie. She
was less than 50 feet from her house when she was attacked.

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Final moments: Karen Aim, 26, pictured on CCTV footage minutes before she was killed on the North Island town of Taupo

Police alerted by a security guard at the school, Taupo-Nui-A-Tia
college, found Karen lying in a pool of blood. She was able to whisper
her name but died shortly afterwards in hospital.

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