Adina Campbell & Liz Jackson,BBC News
Metropolitan Police
The aunt of Zara Aleena, who was sexually assaulted and murdered on her way home in Ilford, east London, has told an inquest a “crumbling justice system” contributed to the death of her niece.
A jury-led inquest into the 35-year-old law graduate’s death in June 2022 opened on Monday at Walthamstow Coroner’s Court.
Jordan McSweeney, who had 28 previous convictions, was jailed for life for her murder in December 2022.
He murdered Zara Aleena nine days after he was released on licence from prison and breached the terms of his probation.
PA Media
Zara was attacked as she walked home from a night out.
She was found in the early hours of 26 June having been badly beaten and died later that day.
The inquest jury will look into the circumstances surrounding her death, including the actions of the police, probation service and prison staff.
During the hearing Farah Naz, Zara Aleena’s aunt, read out a statement saying a “crumbling justice system” contributed to the death of her niece.
‘Lights went out’
In a tearful address, she said “holes need to be closed in the state system” to protect women and girls, and that Zara “lost the right to simply walk home” on the night she was murdered.
“The lights went out in our family” when they were told about her murder, Ms Naz added.
“We are tortured by thoughts that her death was preventable and our trauma persists.”
She said the family would continue to campaign to protect other women and girls as part of Zara’s legacy.
The inquest is expected to last for four weeks and is being led by coroner Nadia Persaud.
