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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Murder charge in backpacker case | Murder charge in backpacker case |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a female British backpacker in New Zealand. | A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a female British backpacker in New Zealand. |
| Karen Aim, 26, from Orkney, was murdered on her way home from a night out in the resort town of Taupo, on North Island, on 17 January. | Karen Aim, 26, from Orkney, was murdered on her way home from a night out in the resort town of Taupo, on North Island, on 17 January. |
| Ms Aim, who had been working in a glass blowing gallery, was found with head injuries and died in hospital. | Ms Aim, who had been working in a glass blowing gallery, was found with head injuries and died in hospital. |
| Ms Aim's father, Brian Aim, 51, said relatives were "very glad" that police had charged someone. | Ms Aim's father, Brian Aim, 51, said relatives were "very glad" that police had charged someone. |
| While it is a great comfort, that is overruled by the fact that it will not bring Karen back Brian Aim Karen Aim's father | While it is a great comfort, that is overruled by the fact that it will not bring Karen back Brian Aim Karen Aim's father |
| Speaking from the family home in Orkney, he said: "It is a comfort to know somebody has been charged, but of course they are innocent until proven guilty. | Speaking from the family home in Orkney, he said: "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." | "While it is a great comfort, that is overruled by the fact that it will not bring Karen back." |
| The youth was arrested early in the inquiry but police said at the time his detention was not linked to the murder. | The youth was arrested early in the inquiry but police said at the time his detention was not linked to the 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 17 January. | 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 17 January. |
| "The youth is also charged with intentional damage relating to damage to a local high school." | |
| The suspect, who cannot be identified, appeared in court in nearby Rotorua. | |
| 'Welcome news' | 'Welcome news' |
| A court spokeswoman said the youth was remanded in custody. The case is expected to come back to court on 15 April. | |
| On Orkney, councillor Andrew Drever told BBC Scotland: "I think it's very welcome news. | On Orkney, councillor Andrew Drever told BBC Scotland: "I think it's very welcome news. |
| "The people of Orkney and Taupo will be pleased it's moved forward and someone has been arrested and taken to court. | "The people of Orkney and Taupo will be pleased it's moved forward and someone has been arrested and taken to court. |
| "The Aim family will welcome the news, it will maybe give them a start in the healing process." | "The Aim family will welcome the news, it will maybe give them a start in the healing process." |
| CCTV showed Ms Aim at a service station about half an hour before she was discovered lying in the street near a school. | CCTV showed Ms Aim at a service station about half an hour before she was discovered lying in the street near a school. |
| Second visit | Second visit |
| Police said the arrest in the Operation Waikato murder inquiry was made as other crimes in Taupo were investigated. | Police said the arrest in the Operation Waikato murder inquiry was made as other crimes in Taupo were investigated. |
| The boy was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated robbery after an incident on 5 January. | The boy was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated robbery after an incident on 5 January. |
| Six windows were smashed at Taupo Nui-A-Tia College at about the time Ms Aim was attacked. | Six windows were smashed at Taupo Nui-A-Tia College at about the time Ms Aim was attacked. |
| Ms Aim had been visiting New Zealand for a second time, following a three-month trip in 2006. | Ms Aim had been visiting New Zealand for a second time, following a three-month trip in 2006. |
| She was buried in Holm, Orkney, after a funeral at East Mainland Parish Church on 29 January. | She was buried in Holm, Orkney, after a funeral at East Mainland Parish Church on 29 January. |