A killer who battered a Scottish backpacker to death in New Zealand has been denied parole for the fifth time. Jahche Broughton was only 14 years old when he brutally murdered Karen Aim, from Orkney, with a baseball bat in January 2008. The 26-year-old was on a trip to New Zealand and was walking back to her accommodation from a party in Taupō when she encountered Broughton. The attacker used a bat he had been using to smash windows to viciously assault Karen. Despite her serious injuries, he continued to strike her, leading to a fractured skull and extensive brain injuries. Karen later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
In 2009, Broughton received a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 12-and-a-half years. He became eligible for parole in 2020, but his recent attempt at early release has been turned down. The decision was based on concerns about his understanding of the events leading to the violence and his progress in rehabilitation. Broughton has spent time complaining about his prison circumstances, raising doubts about his focus on rehabilitation.
Parole Board chairman Sir Ron Young disclosed that during discussions, Broughton attributed the attacks to a lack of self-awareness, upbringing without boundaries, and substance abuse. Broughton considered the violence as ‘normal’ at the time and claimed the incidents were ‘accidental’. Despite completing 11 sessions with a psychologist, he still lacks emotional insight into his actions. Furthermore, he denies any sexual involvement in the crime, contradicting the evidence.
Last year, Broughton’s parole was denied after being found in possession of a phone, charger, and sim card. He will be eligible for parole consideration again in October 2025. Prior to murdering Karen, Broughton had been vandalizing a school with a baseball bat. A police officer responding to an alarm discovered Karen in critical condition shortly after the attack. Broughton, who pleaded guilty to the murder, alleged another individual named Brian was mainly responsible.
Karen’s father, Brian, who passed away a decade after her murder, remembered her as a vibrant and cheerful individual who brightened every room she entered. The community was deeply impacted by the tragic event, emphasizing the importance of justice for the victim and her loved ones.