A 14-year-old Taupo boy has appeared in court as police criticised "incorrect and mischievous" reports that his appearance was related to Scottish tourist Karen Aim's death.
The 14-year-old made no application for bail when he appeared in the Rotorua Youth Court yesterday.
The boy is charged with attacking a 17-year-oldgirl as she was walked home in the early hours of January 5, allegedly striking her over the head 12 times with a jagged rock.
He entered no plea to charges of wounding with intent and aggravated assault and was further remanded in custody to a youth justice facility.
Earlier in the day, police investigating the death of 26-year-old Ms Aim said radio reports that the boy's court appearance was in relation to Ms Aim's death were "speculative" and "damaging to the enquiry".
"These reports are incorrect and mischievous," investigation head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said.
Police want to speak to anyone who recognised a person riding a distinctive retro-style cruiser bicycle who appeared on security footage at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College in the minutes before Ms Aim was attacked.
