Teen: I Murdered Brit Backpacker

[English Noodles]

A 15-year-old has admitted murdering a British backpacker in New Zealand



Karen Aim, from Orkney, northern Scotland, was killed walking home from a night out.

Jahche Te Manawa Kaha Broughton pleaded guilty to her murder at the High Court in Auckland.

He carried out the attack in the resort town of Taupo when he was 14.

The teenager beat her with a baseball bat in a brutal attack on January 17 last year.

CCTV images showed Karen visiting a BP garage at 2am after leaving a bar.

She was later found lying semi-conscious in a pool of blood but was able to tell officers her name.

The 26-year-old died from serious head injuries and a team of 50 officers began a murder investigation.

Her killer also pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent, relating to a separate attack on a 17-year-old girl 12 days before he killed Karen.

Karen's parents were in the courtroom to hear the guilty plea and intend to stay in New Zealand until the sentencing on March 6.

Her father, Brian, thanked the police in New Zealand for their efforts in tracking down his daughter's killer.

"The outcome today would surely be thanks to the good police work within the New Zealand force," he said outside court.

And despite the tragedy, Mr Aim said he still loved New Zealand, a country he first visited four decades ago.

He added the family intended to stay on for the sentencing.

Broughton was initially arrested in connection with a different attack but it was only two months later police got the breakthrough they needed to charge him with Karen's murder.

Police said he beat her with a baseball bat near the Taupo Nui a Tia College.
Broughton had been committed for trial following a hearing at Taupo Youth Court in September.

The court heard a police search of his home uncovered a camera similar to Karen's, along with a black handbag in an incinerator and a baseball bat with blood and glass embedded in it under the house.

Broughton told police he spent the night of January 16 last year at home with his grandparents.

But in reality he launched a brutal attack on Karen as she made her way home from a night out, leaving her dying in the street.

She had been on her second visit to New Zealand after a three-month stay in 2006 and was working at a glass-blowing gallery in the resort town.

Teen: I Murdered Brit Backpacker - Yahoo! News UK

[Lily]

To steal a camera and a handbag?

Sheeeesh!

[Rural Surin]

To steal a camera and a handbag?

Sheeeesh!

Think there is something else involved here. The youthful murderer's name sounds Maori {which wasn't mentioned}....perhaps there is a racial link. Lot of angry Maoris these days. I'm puzzled by this story - no explanation nor attempt to conclude a motive.

[Nawty]

Maoris don't need a motive....little savages.

Do you know how many sheep go missing in NZ each year ? Staggering.

[Rural Surin]

Well, at least there is a bright side to this tale. The locale, Taupo, is quite lovely - especially in the off season, where you might have the whole place to yourself and accomodation rates are halved!!

[Rural Surin]

Maoris don't need a motive....little savages.

Do you know how many sheep go missing in NZ each year ? Staggering.

Not the Maoris far north. They're a fair and civilized lot.