Teenage boy charged with British backpacker murder

Wellington: A 14-year-old boy appeared in a New Zealand court on Tuesday charged with the murder of British backpacker, Karen Aim.

Aim, 26, from Orkney, was killed as she made her way home from a night out in the resort town of Taupo in New Zealand in January.

She was found lying injured in the street after walking home from a night out with friends.

She had visited a number of bars in Taupo and CCTV footage showed her at a service station at 2am - half an hour before she was discovered with serious head injuries.

Aim, who had been working at a glass blowing gallery, died later in hospital.

The 14-year-old, who was arrested earlier in the inquiry on other charges, has now been charged with her murder.

The suspect, who cannot be identified, appeared in court in nearby Rotorua on the North Island.

Karen's father Brian Aim welcomed the development.

"It is a comfort to know somebody has been charged, but of course they are innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Karen was on her second visit to New Zealand after a three-month stay in 2006.

Around 300 people gathered in Holm, Orkney, for her funeral on January 29.