Zara Aleena inquest jury retires to consider verdict

A jury has retired to begin its deliberations at the inquest into the death of Zara Aleena.

Jordan McSweeney killed the 35-year-old law graduate as she walked home from a night out in Ilford, east London, early on 26 June 2022.

He is serving a minimum sentence of 33 years after admitting murder and sexual assault.

The inquest jury has been asked to consider whether any failings by the prison and probation services and the Metropolitan Police contributed to Ms Aleena's death.

On Monday, area coroner Nadia Persaud addressed the jurors at East London Coroner's Court ahead of sending them out to begin their deliberations.

She told them they must decide "where, when and how she came by her death".

The jury has heard how McSweeney was released from prison on 17 June 2022, nine days before he killed Ms Aleena.