Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Justice system contributed to Zara Aleena's death, aunt alleges

Aleena was killed by Jordan McSweeney while walking home in Ilford, east London, in June 2022

Justice system contributed to Zara Aleena's death, aunt alleges

ZARA ALEENA's family has expressed their anguish over her "preventable" death, as revealed in an ongoing inquest.

Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate, was killed by Jordan McSweeney while walking home in Ilford, east London, in June 2022. McSweeney received a life sentence with a minimum of 38 years in December 2022 after admitting to her murder and sexual assault.


Farah Naz, Aleena’s aunt, told the inquest that a "crumbling justice system" played a role in her niece’s death.

McSweeney had been released from prison on licence on 17 June 2022 and, after breaching the conditions of his release, was slated to be recalled to prison on 24 June, just two days before the attack on Aleena.

Naz stressed the family's torment over the preventability of Zara's death and criticised the justice system meant to protect citizens. She recounted Zara's vibrant life, her role as a caregiver for her mother and grandmother, and her aspirations to work as a legal assistant at the Royal Courts of Justice.

“Since her death we have been campaigning so that our daughters, sisters, friends can be safe and protected as Zara never was. This is Zara’s legacy," Naz told the jury at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow.

She described Aleena as a “carefree spirit with the most caring heart” who had dedicated her time to helping resettle refugees in the UK. She highlighted Zara’s plans for 2022, which included buying a home, finding a life partner, and starting a family. Tragically, these dreams were cut short when Aleena was attacked and killed while walking home from an evening out, she said.

The inquest, led by Coroner Nadia Persaud, aims to explore the circumstances surrounding Zara's death and whether any actions or omissions by state bodies contributed. McSweeney, who had a lengthy criminal history starting from age 13, was deemed a high-risk individual by the Probation Service.

Read Also: Sunak pledges annual caps on visas

Kim Thornden-Edwards, the chief probation officer, testified that McSweeney should have been classified as high risk since 2021. She acknowledged the complexities in assessing McSweeney’s risk level, noting his history of burglaries and thefts. Thornden-Edwards also discussed the challenges in distinguishing between medium and high risk in assessments.

Additionally, Thornden-Edwards mentioned that probation staff are trained to thoroughly investigate information in risk assessments and avoid inflating or downplaying risks. She noted that electronic monitoring tags cannot be issued without an address, a factor that could have influenced McSweeney's case.

The inquest also heard from a forensic pathologist who stated that the cause of Aleena’s death was blunt force head injury and neck compression.

The proceedings are expected to last four weeks, as the court continues to delve into the factors leading to Zara Aleena's tragic death, reports said.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less