Zara Aleena murder: Killer Jordan McSweeney sentenced to 38 years behind bars

The man who pleaded guilty to murdering Zara Aleena has been sentenced to a minimum of 38 years in prison for her death.

Jordan McSweeney, 29, of Dagenham, east London, refused to appear in court at the Old Bailey today (Wednesday, December 14).

He previously pleaded guilty to murdering and sexually assaulting the 35-year-old law graduate.

Ms Aleena died from multiple injuries after she was kicked and stamped on by McSweeney in the early hours of June 26.

Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb requested McSweeney to attend and asked his barrister to appear in the dock to receive his sentencing.

But the court heard how he refused to come up from the cells because he “did not want to watch CCTV of what he did”.

The judge said the fact he would not attend showed he had “no spine whatsoever” and described Ms Aleena as a “talented, spirited, intelligent and kind” young woman.

McSweeney’s barrister George Carter-Stephenson KC argued that the murder of Zara Aleena wasn’t pre-meditated and occurred during the struggle of their encounter.

He told the court: “There is very little that can be said on McSweeney’s behalf that can explain his actions. He has accepted his responsibility for it.

“His childhood was far from ideal, his mother was a drug addict… His father was hardly ever around. Domestic violence was something he grew up with as the norm.”

And Carter-Stephenson KC said that McSweeney suffers from ADHD, a personality disorder and substance abuse.

While a victim impact statement was tearfully delivered by Ms Aleena’s grandmother Rashda Parveen.

She said: “I lost my first grandchild. She brought peace and happiness to my heart.

“My daughter has lost her only child. My pain is for my daughter who sleeps with Zara’s photographs. My pain is for my granddaughter who died in such suffering.”

Her aunt Farah Naz added: “Zara was murdered in 20 minutes in a senseless and brutal attack… She was mercilessly stamped on to her death.

“Five and a half months on we still struggle to believe that this horror is true.

“We are trapped in a constant loop of torturous images. Months have passed but we don’t feel time. The lights have gone out in our family home.”

Protestors from the domestic abuse charity Refuge held a peaceful demonstration outside the Centrall Criminal Court to demand an end of violence against women and girls.