Zara Aleena ‘dragged into driveway before being kicked and stamped to death by Jordan McSweeney’

A LAW graduate was "dragged" into a driveway before being beaten to death as she walked home from a night out, a court heard today.

Zara Aleena, 35, was yards from her house in Ilford, East London, when she was "kicked and stamped on" repeatedly, it is said.

The Old Bailey heard how she was discovered with serious head injuries and partially clothed after the horror on Sunday.

Jordan McSweeney, 29, appeared via videolink today charged with murder, attempted rape and robbery.

Wearing a green jumper, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

The court was told emergency crews were scrambled to Cranbrook Road after Zara's body was discovered.

Her screams woke up nearby residents, who called 999, it was said.

Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC added: "Police and paramedics attended and attempted to give life saving first aid to her but the injuries that she had sustained… were so severe that nothing could be done to save her."

The prosecutor said Zara was allegedly "dragged" into the driveway where she was attacked.

McSweeney was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on September 30 for a plea hearing.

Zara was an aspiring lawyer who had just started working at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Her death has sparked outrage following the stranger murders of Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard in London as they walked home.

She is the 16th woman in London and the 52nd woman in the UK to be allegedly killed by a man in 2022.

Zara's family paid tribute to her in a heartbreaking statement following her death.

They also revealed she had wanted to be a lawyer from the age of five and that she "put her party shoes in her bag" and "walked everywhere" because "she believed that a woman should be able to walk home".

Her family added: "Zara, 35, a beloved human, child, niece, cousin, granddaughter, friend to all, she was a joy to all of us.

"She was a carer for her mother, and her grandmother. Caring for others came so naturally to her.

"Zara was friendly, she was everybody's friend. She was everybody's daughter, everybody's niece, everybody's sister, everybody's cousin. She was pure of heart.