Boy charged over murder of British backpacker
Tuesday, 18 Mar 2008 10:01
Fourteen-year-old boy charged with murder of British backpacker Karen Aim in New Zealand
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of British backpacker Karen Aim in New Zealand.
Ms Aim was found with serious head injuries in the North Island town of Taupo in January and later died in hospital.
The 26-year-old from Orkney had been working as a glass blower during her second visit to New Zealand after a three-month stay in 2006 and was killed on her way home from a night out with friends in the popular resort.
And a 14-year-old - who was arrested earlier in the inquiry into Ms Aim's death in connection with an incident at Taupo Nui-A-Tia College - has now been arrested and charged with her murder.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said: "Taupo police have arrested a youth domiciled in Auckland and charged him with the murder and aggravated robbery of Karen Aim at Taupo on January 17th.
"The youth is also charged with intentional damage relating to damage to a local high school.
"The youth was to appear in the Rotorua Courts this morning [Tuesday]."
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was originally arrested on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated robbery following an incident on January 5th, some 12 days before Ms Aim was attacked.
Ms Aim's father, Brian Aim, 51, said the family were "very glad" to hear of the arrest.
Speaking from the family home in Orkney, 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 bring Karen back."