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Zara Aleena failed by 'multiple agencies' before being murdered by freed killer

26 June 2024 , 16:17
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Zara was murdered as she walked home in east London
Zara was murdered as she walked home in east London

ZARA Aleena's aunt has slammed cops after it was found she was failed by "multiple agencies" before her murder.

Law graduate Zara, 35, was murdered as she walked home from a night out in east London in June 2022.

Failures 'across multiple agencies' contributed to the death of Zara Aleena, an inquest has found eiqehiqeriquprw
Failures 'across multiple agencies' contributed to the death of Zara Aleena, an inquest has foundCredit: PA
Zara, 35, was murdered as she walked home from a night out in east London
Zara, 35, was murdered as she walked home from a night out in east LondonCredit: PA
A montage of pictures and videos from throughout Zara's life was played at the inquest
A montage of pictures and videos from throughout Zara's life was played at the inquestCredit: PA

Failures "across multiple agencies" contributed to her death, an inquest jury found on Wednesday.

Her aunt Farah Naz slammed authorities after the inquest, saying "her brutal murder could and should have been prevented".

Jordan McSweeney was jailed for life with a minimum term of 33 years at the Old Bailey for Zara's murder, rape and sexual assault.

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He had been released from prison on licence nine days before his attack on Zara as she walked home from a night out in Ilford.

A probation report in January found he was not categorised as a high-risk offender when he should have been.

Just one member of staff faced disciplinary action over the case and no-one was sacked, according to the watchdog's report.

Zara died in hospital from a blunt force head injury and neck compression, the inquest jury said.

In a statement, Zara's aunt Farah Naz said: "Today is a difficult day for my family.

"It marks the two-year anniversary of the brutal murder of our precious Zara, coinciding with the conclusion of the inquest into her death and the jury's final verdict.

"We thank the coroner and the jury for their time and consideration and welcome the jury's conclusions under the coroner's guidance.

"The inquest has highlighted numerous devastating and unnecessary failings and mistakes made within and by our under-resourced justice system.

"Our questions have been answered by a rigorous, thorough and excellent process.

"We take some comfort in the fact that Zara's murder has prompted substantial, meaningful and hopefully sustainable changes in probation, police, and local authority policies and practices,.

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"But we remain devastated by our enormous loss. Zara should be alive today."

Area coroner Nadia Persaud paid tribute to Zara, who died two years ago to the day.

Ms Persaud said: "I would like to send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Zara."

A video montage of pictures and videos from throughout Zara's life was played to East London Coroner’s Court.

McSweeney was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after admitting Ms Aleena’s murder and sexual assault.

In November 2023, he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term.

Evil McSweeney pounced on Zara as she walked home just nine days after he was released from a prison sentence.

The licence McSweeney was on at the time for a string of offences had been revoked after he failed to meet probation officers.

But he was not recalled to prison - and was free to roam the streets hunting for a victim.

McSweeney was on licence for criminal damage, racially aggravated harassment and unauthorised possession of a knife in prison.

He had 28 previous convictions for 69 offences including burglary, assaults on police and assaults on members of the public.

In the early hours of June 26, 2022, McSweeney was captured on CCTV stalking the streets of East London.

At least four other women managed to escape the killer's clutches as he followed them in the darkness.

One even ran for safety into a home on the same street where Zara was brutally murdered.

Her family previously told the inquest how they are "tortured by thoughts that Zara's death was preventable".

Aunt Farah Naz said her niece's murder showed "the crumbling justice system that is meant to protect all of us, especially women and girls".

Jordan McSweeney was jailed for life with a minimum term of 33 years for Zara's murder, rape and sexual assault.
Jordan McSweeney was jailed for life with a minimum term of 33 years for Zara's murder, rape and sexual assault.Credit: PA

Harry Goodwin

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