Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Farah Naz says she is providing a snapshot from the wider family about the impact of Zara Aleena's murder.

Her voice breaks as she says the family are compelled to make sure other people's daughters are protected in the way Zara was not.

Naz says their family was destroyed in such a short period of time.

"Zara was murdered in 20 minutes, she lost everything," she adds.

"We lost her and more.

"When a human is murdered a family is murdered."

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Oliver Glasgow KC is now moving onto victim impact statements.

First, we are going to hear from Zara Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, who is speaking from the witness box.

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow KC is on his feet and talking about Jordan McSweeney's character and the aggravating factors in this case - which he believes mean he should receive a higher sentence.

After touching on his previous convictions, Mr Glasgow details that McSweeney pushed an ex-girlfriend down some stairs and pulled her hair during an argument.

Mr Glasgow says another ex-partner told police about an abusive relationship - saying two weeks after they got together, McSweeney "would punch and slap her, kick her in the ribs and drag her back to his mother's house".

Helena Wilkinson
reporting from the Old Bailey

McSweeney's barrister has told the judge that McSweeney's position has still not changed. He is still not going to come into court. The dock remains empty.

Zara's family have now returned to court.

The prosecutor is telling the court about McSweeney's previous convictions which began at the age of 13 in 2006.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow KC says before McSweeney attacked Zara he had been released from prison on licence.

The judge has just come back into court and McSweeney's sentencing hearing has resumed.

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Court is due to resume shortly following the lunch break and there is still quite a bit of this sentencing hearing to go before we find out Jordan McSweeney's jail tariff.

We are still in the prosecution's section of the sentencing and we can expect Oliver Glasgow KC to highlight the aggravating factors in this case which may give McSweeney a higher prison sentence.

We may also hear some impact statements from Zara Aleena's family being read out.

Then, attention shifts towards the defence where McSweeney's barrister George Carter-Stephenson KC will outline any mitigating circumstances which may give his client a shorter jail sentence.

After both sides have made their cases, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb will deliver her sentencing remarks and pass sentence on McSweeney.

This is when you can watch the remarks at the top of this page due to the recent change in law.

While we wait for the court to resume sitting, lets hear from Zara Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, who spoke to the BBC back in July.

"The one word that would describe Zara would be independent."

"She was incredibly giving, supportive, insightful... empathic and fearless."

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Image source, PA Media

The prosecution spent just over an hour detailing out the murder of Zara Aleena.

If you are just joining our coverage here is a quick summary of the key points made by Oliver Glasgow KC:

• Jordan McSweeney has refused to come to court
• CCTV played to the court shows McSweeney prowling the streets of Ilford following three women and interacting with another before targeting Ms Aleena
• The law graduate was minutes away from her home when she was grabbed from behind by McSweeney and then "savagely" beaten
• Members of the public discovered Ms Aleena's body, with one woman giving CPR until medics arrived and transferred her to the Royal London Hospital
• A post-mortem revealed Ms Aleena suffered 46 separate injuries
• Detectives moved quickly to identify and arrest McSweeney who was found sleeping inside a caravan trailer in a park near to where he murdered Ms Aleena

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

In the conclusion to his opening speech Oliver Glasgow KC said when Jordan McSweeney left the pub in Ilford on the night of 25 June 2021, he was "determined to find, to attack and to kill a woman".

Mr Glasgow said McSweeney followed and tried to catch three women and he confronted another, before he saw Zara Aleena.

"Zara Aleena did not stand a chance. She had no idea Jordan McSweeney was behind her and, once he had grabbed her, there was nothing she could do."

"Zara Aleena had every right to walk home alone and to expect to be safe when she did just that.

"Jordan McSweeney choose to take that away from her in a brutal and shocking manner."

Helena Wilkinson
reporting from the Old Bailey

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow KC finished by saying "Zara Aleena did not stand a chance" that night.

He has now concluded the facts of the case and the court is rising for lunch until 14:00.

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

On the evening of his arrest Jordan McSweeney called his mother and could be heard saying that he had been "bang to rights", Oliver Glasgow KC continues.

The prosecutor says a subsequent search of the Valentines Park site was then conducted.

Mr Glasgow explained that police found a black JD Sports drawstring bag under one of the huts.

"The bag contained bloodstained white trainers and blue jeans, matching the clothing that Jordan McSweeney had been reported wearing on the evening of 25 June 2022."

McSweeney made no reply following caution and being charged with the murder and rape of Zara Aleena, Mr Glasgow says.

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Oliver Glasgow KC says he is about to finish the facts of the case - hinting that it is nearly time to beak for lunch.

Turning to the police investigation he says Jordan McSweeney was quickly identified as the prime suspect.

He was arrested at 15:44 after being found sleeping inside a caravan in Valentines Park.

Mr Glasgow says: "He was taken to Leyton Custody Suite. On being booked into custody, Jordan McSweeney disclosed that he was on medication for ADHD and suffered from a split personality disorder".

McSweeney also told police he had been bitten by a dog earlier and was subsequently taken to Whipps Cross Hospital for treatment.

"However, Jordan McSweeney became restless and irritated whilst waiting to be seen and ultimately refused treatment," Mr Glasgow said.

"He was then transported back to Leyton Custody Suite without being triaged, where he became ‘very aggressive’ and threatened police officers saying: 'we’re going to get fighting then' and 'just because I’m in cuffs, don’t think I’m, I’ll bite your face off cuz… it’s not a joke'."

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Warning: This post contains upsetting details about the case

Oliver Glasgow KC says the post-mortem examination of Zara Aleena was conducted by Dr Matthew Cieka on 26 June 2022 at Poplar Public Mortuary.

"In total there were 46 separate injuries that were found," Mr Glasgow says.

"Dr Cieka concluded that Zara Aleena had died because of the traumatic brain injury, the prolonged neck compression, and the blood loss.

"In short, she had been stamped and strangled to death."

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Now, Oliver Glasgow KC has turned to the moment Zara Aleena's body was discovered on Cranbrook Road.

A husband and his wife walking along the street came across the 35-year-old, who was badly injured but still breathing, Mr Glasgow explains.

They then rang the doorbells of nearby houses trying to seek more help.

Emergency services were called and rushed to the scene as one woman, Maria Burgum, gave CPR.

For over an hour, treatment was given on the street by doctors and medics.

"Zara Aleena was transferred to the Royal London Hospital at 04:34 and delivered to the awaiting trauma team at 04:48," Mr Glasgow states.

But despite the efforts of doctors, she was declared dead at 9:58am.

Helena Wilkinson
reporting from the Old Bailey

Zara's aunt appears to be trying to hold back tears as Oliver Glasgow KC describes McSweeney repeatedly stamping on her niece.

This distressing CCTV footage is being played out on screens around the courtroom.

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Warning: This post contains upsetting details about the case

Oliver Glasgow KC says Jordan McSweeney leaves but then returns to stamp on Zara Aleena.

He then goes to her and bends down, appearing to be looking for something, the prosecutor explains as the CCTV continues to be played to court.

Mr Glasgow adds: "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.

"When the police subsequently searched the area, the indistinct items that he had picked up from the floor were to become clear.

"Her keys and underwear were found discarded on the ground a few doors down the street; her purse was found thrown into a bush further along the street; her leggings were found hanging over a tree branch a little further on; and her mobile telephone was found in the driveway of one of the houses by a resident the next morning.

"Having dragged her off the street, sexually assaulted her, repeatedly stamped on her until her body was broken, and then thrown away her clothes and possessions, Jordan McSweeney went home to bed."

Helena Wilkinson
reporting from the Old Bailey

Zara Aleena's aunt has returned to the courtroom. The CCTV footage is still playing.

It's from a camera looking down onto the driveway where McSweeney has dragged Aleena.

The picture isn't completely clear - but the words of the prosecutor are. He describes McSweeney's "savage" attack on Aleena.

Helena Wilkinson
reporting from the Old Bailey

We have just seen the moment sexual predator Jordan McSweeney grabbed Zara Aleena from behind and dragged her onto a driveway.

There was a gasp in court as the footage was played.

It is shocking to see.

McSweeney can then be seen attacking Aleena as she tries to escape.

Thomas Mackintosh
reporting from the Old Bailey

Warning: Details in this post contain upsetting details about the case

We know that Zara Aleena was fatally attacked on Cranbrook Road, which Oliver Glasgow KC describes as a well lit area with houses on both sides and cars using the busy street.

The prosecutor continues: "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.

Mr Glasgow says Jordan McSweeney grabbed Zara Aleena from behind with both arms; one arm appearing to cover her mouth, and the other around her neck, before he dragged her into a driveway.

"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."

Helena Wilkinson
reporting from the Old Bailey

Zara Aleena's family has just left the courtroom as footage is played of McSweeney following her home on the night he brutally attacked her.

They understandably do not wish to see her final moments and what he did to her.

The CCTV footage is distressing to watch, knowing what is about to follow.

We can see McSweeney following Zara Aleena - he is only a few metres behind her.