The women who got away: Haunting CCTV shows Zara Aleena’s killer prowl potential targets on night he followed four females… before he murdered law graduate ‘just minutes’ from her home
- Jordan McSweeney, 29, was jailed for 38 years for the murder of Zara Aleena
- The killer was seen on CCTV targeting four other women on the same night
- Two women were able to run away for safety when they were being followed
A sexual predator who was jailed today for a minimum of 38 years for the brutal killing of law graduate Zara Aleena, targeted four other women on the same night.
Jordan McSweeney, 29, pleaded guilty to the 35-year-old’s murder and sexual assault last month and was sentenced at the Old Bailey today.
However, he refused to come up from the cells for his sentencing because he did not want to watch CCTV of what he did.
Some of the security footage obtained by Metropolitan Police shows McSweeney follow one potential victim who had to run for her life.
CCTV also captured the 29-year-old targeting another woman who was helped by two passing men.
The afternoon after the attack McSweeney was seen walking across a fairground wearing same vest and carrying a bag.
Jordan McSweeney was seen on CCTV targeting at least four different women in the early hours on June 26
The killer pleaded guilty to the 35-year-old’s murder and sexual assault last month and was sentenced at the Old Bailey today
Met police have released images of murderer Jordan McSweeney from the night her killed Zara Aleena
He followed one woman who tried to hide in a local shop and then followed her after she left
The killer chased after a woman but lost her, shortly before her targeted Ms Aleena
A CCTV image issued by the Metropolitan Police of sexual predator Jordan McSweeney just before he attacked Zara Aleena
The afternoon after the attack McSweeney was seen at a fairground wearing the same clothes and holding a bag
Jordan McSweeney ambushed Zara Aleena and punched her in the back of the head before dragging the 35-year-old into a driveway and kicking her as she lay on the ground
Zara Aleena (pictured), 35, who had recently started work at the Royal Courts of Justice, died after she was ambushed as she walked home in the early hours of the morning, she was punched in the back of the head, then strangled
McSweeney was kicked out of the Great Spoon of Ilford Wetherspoons pub on June 25, just after 11pm, for harassing a female member of the bar staff.
CCTV footage showed him greeting women at the door of the pub, putting his arms around them without consent and attempting to kiss them.
Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow KC said: ‘Despite her making it clear that she was not interested, he kept returning to the bar and kept pestering her.’
After leaving the pub he was seen following a woman, who realised she was being followed and then went into a minimarket to avoid McSweeney.
The court heard that he waited outside for a while before going into the shop, where he hid behind a vegetable display until she left.
McSweeney continued following the woman and chased after her as she ran down a side street to get away from him, but lost her.
‘That young woman had a very lucky escape since, had she been caught, by Jordan McSweeney, she would have been attacked and killed’, said Mr Glasgow.
McSweeney’s next target was a woman in the Samiz Chicken Shop in Romford Road – CCTV shows him putting his hand down his trousers and staring at her.
He began following her after just left the shop with her takeaway until he was distracted by another woman – who he spoke to briefly and put his hand between her legs before she walked away.
McSweeney started following another woman who realised she was in danger and was then fortunately able to enter a property on the street.
Two passing men had spotted the scene unfolding, McSweeney following a woman, and they stopped and stared – potentially saving the woman.
McSweeney then prowled up and down Cranbrook Road for the next 50 minutes. He followed another woman, who had to run inside a house on the street.
He saw Ms Aleena just after 2am, paused as she walked past, and turned to follow her.
Mr Glasgow said: ‘Jordan McSweeney waited for his opportunity to strike and, as soon as he believed that no one was watching, that is exactly what he did.’
McSweeney attempted to follow several women on June 26 before he murdered Zara Aleena
At 2:15am he grabbed her neck from behind, using his other hand to cover her mouth.
He then dragged her into the driveway of 286 Cranbrook Road and took her to the ground.
Mr Glasgow said: ‘She did all she could to fight him off, but she had no idea he was behind her and she must have been terrified as the bigger and stronger Jordan McSweeney dragged her into the darkness and out of sight from any potential rescuer.’
After a struggle she was rendered unconscious. In CCTV he can be seen removing some of her clothing and going in between her spread legs.
Mr Glasgow said: ‘Jordan McSweeney stands and begins to stamp onto Zara Aleena’s body with a force that is almost unimaginable.
‘Indeed, if it were not for the indistinct CCTV footage, it would be hard to believe that anyone could treat another human being in such a violent and shocking manner.
‘Initially satisfied, he leaves her broken body appears to move across to her clothes and then leaves the driveway of 286 Cranbrook Road with something in his hands.’
He returned in a few moments and continued to stamp on her body, steadying himself against a concrete banister.
Mr Glasgow said: ‘As before, Jordan McSweeney emerges from the driveway, turns left, walks a few metres, stops, pauses, turns around and walks back to where Zara Aleena’s body is lying.
‘Once back beside her body, Jordan McSweeney bends down and appears to be looking for something or doing something to Zara Aleena.
‘He then stamps on her for a final and utterly gratuitous time before walking away without pausing to think about what he has just done.’
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