Zara Aleena's killer to appeal 'manifestly excessive' life sentence

A man convicted of murdering aspiring lawyer, Zara Aleena, wants to appeal his life sentence, which he claimed was “manifestly excessive”.

Jordan McSweeney had targeted at least five women before he attacked Aleena on the night of June 26, 2022, as she made her way home from a night out in east London.

The nine-minute fatal assault was captured by grainy CCTV footage, revealing McSweeney ambushing Aleena, punching her from behind, dragging her into a driveway, and ultimately subjecting her to 46 separate injuries.

McSweeney, 29, had been released from prison on license nine days prior to the murder. Subsequently, he was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years after confessing to the murder and sexual assault of Aleena.

McSweeney, who did not attend his sentencing hearing, appeared via video in a hearing last Friday (20). However, he left after 45 minutes, reports said.

McSweeney had 28 previous convictions for 69 separate offenses at the time of Aleena’s murder, including burglary, vehicle theft, criminal damage, assaulting police officers and assaulting members of the public while on bail.

Just two days before Aleena’s murder, McSweeney’s licence had been revoked due to his failure to meet probation workers’ appointments. However, the recall request was still in the process of being executed, and the police were not informed of his impending arrest.

Last Tuesday (17), coroner Nadia Persaud announced her intention to empanel a jury for a month-long inquest into Aleena’s death.

It will consider the actions of police officers and will also examine actions of prison and probation staff.