THE man convicted of stalking and brutally murdering aspiring lawyer, Zara Aleena, is poised to appeal his life sentence, which he deems 'manifestly excessive'.
Sexual predator 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 horrifying assault, which lasted nine minutes, 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 a mere 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.
Despite his refusal to attend his sentencing hearing, McSweeney has now opted to challenge the sentence in a Court of Appeal. The hearing is scheduled for Friday (20) morning.
Just two days before the murder, McSweeney's license had been revoked due to his failure to meet probation workers' appointments.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.
Following Aleena's tragic murder, Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell highlighted a series of errors in the Probation Service's handling of McSweeney.
He stressed that McSweeney, a 'career criminal' with a history of incarceration since the age of 16, should have been categorised as a high-risk offender.
According to Russell, if proper consideration had been given to his high-risk status, urgent action could have been taken to return him to prison after he missed his supervision appointments upon release from custody.
The appeal will be heard before Chief Justice Lady Carr, Justice McGowan, and Justice Ellenbogen and is scheduled to begin after 10am.
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.
Coroner Nadia Persaud announced on Tuesday (17) 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.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)