Karen Aim's killer jailed for at least 12.5 years

Jahche Broughton attacked and killed Karen Aim in Taupo last year. Photos / Alan Gibson, Supplied

The teenager who murdered tourist Karen Aim has been jailed for a minimum of 12-and-a-half years at an emotional sentencing hearing today.

Jahche Broughton, 15, last month admitted fatally bashing Ms Aim, 27, in Taupo on January 27 last year. Murder carries an automatic sentence of life, but a judge sets the non-parole period.

In the High Court at Rotorua this morning the Crown suggested Broughton be given a minimum non-parole period of between 13 and 15 years.

His 12-and-a-half year sentence took into account his age and guilty plea.

Ms Aim's father today told the court Broughton had deprived him of walking his daughter down the aisle in her wedding dress, leaving him instead to carry her coffin.

Accompanied by his wife Peggy and son Alan, Brian Aim read out a victim impact statement talking of the family's loss.

"I would have been so proud to have taken Karen down the aisle in her wedding dress, instead I took Karen down the aisle in a coffin," he said.

"Jahche denied her the possibility of becoming a mother or a granny."

Ms Aim was found critically injured by police after they were called to investigate a vandalism spree at Taupo Nui a Tia College. She was taken to Taupo Hospital but died a short time later.

Mr Aim said Karen's death had put strain on his marriage and his relationship with his son.

He said he had been in hospital with breathing difficulties and the time off work had seen him lose around $20,000 in his building business.

Broughton's parents, grandparents and other family members were also in court for his sentencing.

The teenager was also sentenced to six years to be served concurrently for injuring a 17-year-old woman with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm.

That was a separate incident which took place a fortnight before the attack on Ms Aim.

- With NZPA