Woman Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder After Hammer Attack at Shopping Centre

A 28-year-old woman, Sarangi Karamea Jaque-Oddell Lim, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder following a brutal hammer attack at The Base shopping centre in Hamilton. The attack, which occurred on June 27th, 2023, stemmed from Lim’s anger at seeing a young child eating cigarettes.

According to the summary of facts, Lim purchased a hammer at the shopping centre before confronting a woman who was with the child. A verbal altercation escalated into a violent assault, with Lim repeatedly striking the woman in the head and body with the hammer and her fists. The attack only ended when bystanders intervened.

The victim sustained serious injuries, including two large head wounds and significant bruising. Lim, in her police statement, admitted to intending to kill the victim, stating, “I did attempted murder and I don’t give a s***.” She also acknowledged buying the hammer specifically for the attack.

Justice Kiri Tahana convicted Lim and remanded her in custody pending sentencing in June. A restorative justice conference has been ordered if deemed suitable.