Zara Aleena death: Jordan McSweeney, 29, in court accused of murder, attempted rape and robbery

A 29-year-old man has appeared in court accused of the murder, attempted rape and robbery of aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena in east London.

Jordan McSweeney, of Church Elm Lane, Dagenham, is accused of killing the 35-year-old as she walked home from a night-out along Cranbrook Road in Ilford, in the early hours of Sunday.

He appeared briefly at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (29 June), wearing a grey tracksuit and speaking only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

No plea was indicated.

McSweeney is accused of murder as well as robbing Ms Aleena of her mobile phone, keys and handbag, and attempted penetration without consent.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday for a bail hearing.

Police have said that Ms Aleena suffered severe head injuries and no weapons are thought to have been used.

In the wake of her death her family issued a moving statement in which they also expressed sympathy for women killed in the past two years.

In the statement, issued through police, Ms Aleena's family said she was a keen walker and believed women should be safe on the streets.

They said: “She walked everywhere. She put her party shoes in a bag and donned her trainers. She walked.

“Zara believed that a woman should be able to walk home. Now, her dreams of a family are shattered, her future brutally taken.”

The statement continued: “We all know women should be safe on our streets. She was in the heart of her community, 10 minutes from home.

“We all need to be talking about what happened to our Zara, we all need to be talking about this tragedy.

“These last few days have been shocking and unimaginable.

The family added: “In the moment of this tragedy, we extend our deepest sympathy and love to the families of Bibaa Henry; Nicole Smallman; Sarah Everard; Sabina Nessa; Ashling Murphy and many more women.

“We must prevent and stop violence against women and girls.”