Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘They have blood on their hands': Family blames government and Probation Service for Zara Aleena’s murder

Jordan McSweeney, who was on probation following his previous offences, killed the law graduate in London in June last year.

‘They have blood on their hands': Family blames government and Probation Service for Zara Aleena’s murder

The family of law graduate Zara Aleena who was murdered by a violent misogynist last June has accused the government and the probation service of being responsible for the loss of life.

“They have blood on their hands,” Aleena’s aunt Farah Naz said after a watchdog revealed the Probation Service “incorrectly assessed” the killer Jordan McSweeney before his release from jail.

“The probation service has a big part to play in Zara’s murder, they have a responsibility here”, she told the Guardian.

“Government bears responsibility too, it is not just the probation service,” she said.

Aleena was walking home in Ilford in London on June 26 morning when the racist, who was on probation, approached her from behind and dragged her into a driveway before launching a “ferocious and repetitive" attack on her.

She died at a hospital on the same day and McSweeney who pleaded guilty to murder and sexual assault was sentenced to life imprisonment in December.

Justin Russell, the chief inspector of probation, said in his damning report that the Probation Service failed to consider him as a “high risk of serious harm offender,” despite his history of violence.

Because of the wrong assessment, McSweeney could walk free to commit the heinous crime on the 35-year-old woman, the report said.

“McSweeney should have been considered a high risk of serious harm offender” and such an assessment would have led to “more urgent action to recall him to prison after he missed his supervision appointments on release from custody,” it said.

He had been known to the criminal justice system since 2005 and imprisoned many times before he killed Aleena. Having displayed violent and racially aggravated behaviour, he had been subjected to a restraining order for an offence against a woman in 2021.

“All the evidence shows that McSweeney should have been assessed, on release from prison, as high risk of serious harm. Instead, he was incorrectly assessed as being of medium risk because each of the offences, his behaviours in prison, and his criminal history, had been reviewed in isolation” the report said.

It went on: “Following his release from prison and successive appointments being missed, the Probation Service failed to take prompt action to recall him to custody”.

The report also highlighted the workloads the probation staff are experiencing and the high rate of vacancy rates.

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