Zara Aleena murder: Jordan McSweeney, 29, pleads guilty to killing woman in Ilford

A man has pleaded guilty to murdering Zara Aleena, who was killed while walking home in Ilford, east London.

Jordan McSweeney, 29, of Dagenham, east London, also admitted to sexually assaulting the 35-year-old law graduate.

Ms Aleena died from multiple injuries after she was kicked and stamped on by Mr McSweeney.

She was discovered partially naked and struggling to breathe on Cranbrook Road in Ilford. by passers by in the early hours of June 26.

Paramedics took the victim to the Royal London Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

McSweeney had been released from prison on licence just nine days before the murder.

He had 28 previous convictions for 69 separate offences including burglary, theft of a vehicle, criminal damage, assaulting police officers and assaulting members of the public while on bail.

CCTV footage recovered by police showed McSweeney following a number of women that evening.

He was also captured on CCTV returning to his caravan in Dagenham, Essex, after the killing, where police recovered Ms Aleena’s bloodstained clothes.

More bloodstains were found on a wall in Cranbrook Road with the defendant’s fingerprint identified on them.

Speaking outside the Old Bailey Det Ch Insp David Whellams said: "Jordan Mcsweeney has pleaded guilty today to the most serious of offences.

"He’s clearly a very dangerous individual.

"His guilty plea today means he is certain to serve a considerable period of time behind bars."

He added that tackling violence against women was one of the Met Police’s top priorities.

Ms Aleena was an aspiring lawyer and had just started a new job at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Her family described her as a "carefree spirit, with the most caring heart" in a tribute following her death.

"She walked everywhere," the family said. "She put her party shoes in a bag and donned her trainers.

"Zara believed that a woman should be able to walk home."

Her murder has led to more calls to end violence against women and girls.

McSweeney will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 14.