Zara Aleena was brutally murdered as she walked home one summer's night in Ilford, east London - in an attack her heartbroken family believe was completely 'preventable'.
Now an inquest has found that failures 'across multiple agencies' contributed to Zara's death, with the jury at East London Coroner’s Court concluding that a number of state institution failings contributed to her death.
At the time of her murder, the 35-year-old law graduate had the world at her feet and had just started an exciting legal assistant role at the Royal Courts of Justice. Zara's aunt Farah Naz told the court that her niece had been 'a carefree spirit with the most caring heart', sharing: "2022 was to be her year to live her wildest dreams. She wanted to buy her own home, find Mr Right and to have children. The future looked bright."
Tragically, Zara's life was cut short by Jordan McSweeney, a prolific offender who - just nine days previously - had been freed on licence following a sentence for criminal damage, racially aggravated harassment and unauthorised possession of a knife.
The terms of his sentence meant fairground worker McSweeney had to attend probation appointments and would be recalled to jail if he missed two. By the time McSweeney approached Zara near Valentine's Park on Cranbrook Road, the Probation Service had already started these proceedings.
Zara Aleena's family accuse probation officers of having 'blood on their hands'
Here, the Mirror takes a look at Zara's tragic final moments before her evil killer's nine-minute frenzy of violence...
The bright law graduate had been looking ahead to a fresh start (Pixel8000)
She walked everywhere, and always had a 'bounce' in her step (Pixel8000)'Bounce' in her step
On the evening of June 16, 2022, Zara met a friend for dinner and drink at a local pub, the Great Spoon of Ilford, located in the vibrant East London town of Ilford. After finishing their meal, the duo moved on to a bar, where Zara stuck to water. The two pals headed home at around 2am, after what had been a warm summer's evening.
While her friend hopped in a taxi, Zara chose to walk, with her home being closer. Zara's heartbroken aunt Smaira Naz told The Guardian that her spirited niece always had a spring in her step, and this is how she imagines her, walking home once last time. Smaira said: "She had this bounce when she walked – it was lovely, so much energy. Walking made her feel free."
At the trial, Zara's aunt Farah spoke how how Zara, who 'walked everywhere', strongly 'believed that a woman should be allowed to walk home'.
Crossing paths with a killer
After saying goodbye to her friend, Zara walked along the well-lit residential Cranbrook Road - a mere 10 minutes away from her home. It was here that she crossed paths with McSweeney.
Coincidentally, McSweeney had also been in the Great Spoon of Ilford that evening, and was chucked out after harassing a female bartender. CCTV footage shows McSweeney pursuing different women that night before targeting Zara, including one woman who hid in a supermarket - only for him to follow her in. After noticing him waiting outside for her, the terrified woman then broke into a run.
McSweeney then headed into a chicken shop, where he put his hands down his trousers while staring at a female customer. When she left the shop, he followed her, but she was thankfully able to lose him. He then began following a third woman along the street, overtaking her and pretending to enter a house when she spotted him.
He was in fact lying in wait in a driveway. The woman made it safely into her home before reaching him, having narrowly escaped a terrible fate. After making his way back onto Cranbrook Road, McSweeney began targeting Zara.
The Crown Prosecution Service stated that McSweeney 'was intent that night on finding a woman to attack', while the prosecution remarked that Zara had 'stood no chance of survival'.
McSweeney stamped on Zara with 'almost unimaginable force' before leaving her for dead (Pixel8000)Brutal attack
The assault on Zara began at approximately 2:15 am. Before Zara had a chance to notice him, McSweeney grabbed her from behind while placing one arm over her mouth and the other around her neck. He then dragged her into a driveway where he subjected her to a sexual assault and stamped on her several times with what the prosecution described as "almost unimaginable force'
Rishi Sunak told probation service 'on its knees' in wake of Zara Aleena murder
Horrifying CCTV footage of the nine-minute attack was shown in court, at which point Zara's family left the courtroom, as per BBC News. Following the sentencing hearing, Det Ch Insp Dave Whellams, who led the murder investigation, said: "This was a ferocious and repetitive attack that shocked even experienced murder detectives. He attacked Zara out in the open on a residential street and, other than a clumsy effort to hide a bag containing his belongings, he did not try to cover his tracks."
The Old Bailey heard how, before leaving Zara for dead, McSweeney stole some of Zara's clothes, as well as her keys, phone and purse - later discarding her possessions. Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow KC stated that McSweeney had 'treated Zara Aleena's belongings with the same appalling disdain with which he had treated her life", throwing them away like "any other insignificant piece of rubbish".
Attempts to save her
Following the devastating assault, Zara was discovered, partly naked and struggling to breathe, by a passing couple on a Cranbrook Road driveway. She'd sustained 46 separate injuries. After receiving urgent medical treatment for more than an hour out on the street where she'd been attacked, Zara was taken to the Royal London Hospital. Tragically, it was too late to save her and she died at 9:58 am that morning.
Legacy
Zara's family are now committed to upholding her legacy, with her aunt Farah stating that her death highlights 'the crumbling justice system meant to protect us'. Farah told the inquest: "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."
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
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