Jordan Clive James McSweeney

2 offences

What the court heard

His original sentence✓ Saved of 38-years imprisonment was ruled manifestly excessive. The court quashed the sentence and substituted the minimum term with one of 33-years imprisonment. JUDGMENTIn the early hours of 26 June 2022 Jordan McSweeney, now 30 years old, subjected Zara Aleena to a brutal and sexually-motivated attack causing her multiple injuries from which she tragically died. On 18 November 2022 he pleaded guilty to her murder contrary to common law and sexual assault contrary to s. 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. On 14 December 2022 Cheema-Grubb J ("the Judge") sentenced him to life imprisonment for the murder with a period of 38 years specified as the minimum term under s. 322 of the Sentencing Act 2020, and 4 years' imprisonment for the sexual assault (to run concurrently). He now renews his application for leave to appeal sentence. The gravamen of the application is the submission that the minimum term of 43 years adopted by the Judge before applying the maximum credit available of 5 years for his guilty plea was far too high, resulting in a sentence that was manifestly excessive. We grant leave. The facts in summary The appellant was released from custody on licence on 17 June 2022. A week later, on 24 June 2022, his licence was revoked on performance grounds. On Saturday 25 June 2022 at 8pm, the appellant visited the Great Spoon public house in Ilford. He attended with his friend Kevin McKenna, with whom he was living in a caravan in Valentines Park, Ilford. Whilst at the pub, he consumed a large amount of alcohol. He was recorded on CCTV speaking to a woman outside. He attempted to put his arms around her and put his hands on her bottom. She pushed him away. He attempted again, this time also to kiss her, but the woman backed away and returned inside. He was ejected from the pub after 11pm for making unwelcome advances to a female member of bar staff. The appellant was then recorded on CCTV walking around Ilford. He was obviously drunk and looking for a woman to attack. On Romford Road, he saw and followed a woman, jogging to keep up with her as she attempted to lose him. She went into a supermarket to evade him, but he still followed her, bumping into her as she went to leave. He then hid round a corner. The woman left the supermarket and waited in the safety of an area covered by lighting. She then walked away down Gloucester Road. The appellant emerged from his hiding-place and pursued her, but she managed to escape. The…

Aggravating and mitigating factors

Planned / Premeditated / Degree of Planning; On licence / supervision at the time of the offence; A Guilty Plea; Sexually motivated

Around this case

• Court 23, The Rolls Building, 7 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1NL
• Prosecuted by Crown Prosecution Service