Zara Aleena: Law graduate’s aunt calls probation failings around her killer ‘extremely distressing’
The aunt of law graduate Zara Aleena – who was murdered on her way home after a night out – has called the findings of a report into the Probation Service “extremely distressing”.
Farah Naz said it revealed “a litany of errors” in the lead up to her niece’s death.
She told BBC Radio Four’s Woman’s Hour it’s “not a service that’s doing its best with inadequate resources… This is a service that is incompetent and has the failures by people at the top to ensure a quality service”.
The report found failings by probation officers left sexual predator Jordan McSweeney able to stalk and kill Ms Aleena just days after he was released from prison.
The 29-year-old was sentenced to a minimum of 38 years for sexually assaulting and murdering the 35-year-old in Ilford, east London, on 26 June last year.
Jordan McSweeney stalked and killed Ms Aleena just days after he was released from prison
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab ordered a review of how probation staff had supervised McSweeney when it emerged he had been freed from prison on licence – where individuals are released from jail but still have a part of their sentence to serve in the community – nine days before the murder.
In the report, Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “Jordan McSweeney should have been considered a high risk of serious harm offender. If he had, more urgent action would have been taken to recall him to prison, after he missed his supervision appointments on release from custody.
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Zara Aleena murder: What happened?
“The Probation Service failed to do so, and he was free to commit this most heinous crime on an innocent, young woman.”
In the nine days before the murder, McSweeney’s licence had been revoked after he failed to attend any meetings with probation officers, but he had not been recalled to prison.
Ms Naz said she was here to “campaign” and “give a voice” to her family, and “everybody else who wants to see better services”, adding: “I’m looking for change and accountability.”
Describing her niece, she said: “This is a very difficult time for us. She was the complete antithesis of this man that was given a licence to walk the streets freely.”
She was a “good human being… very active in the local community… loved by all of us dearly, funny, clever, beautiful and a real lover of life”, Ms Naz said.
She added that she is “looking forward” to a conversation with Mr Raab.
Mr Russell, whose team carried out the review, told the programme that probation officers need to be “reminded of the basics, they need to be retrained in how you distinguish between a medium and a high-risk case”.
Asked if the Probation Service was fit for purpose, he said: “I think the way that it assesses, manages and reviews risk of harm is not fit for purpose, and that is a key function for the Probation Service, it should be one of its priorities.”
London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said the probation failings are “symptomatic of wider issues” which “must be addressed immediately”.
Mr Khan said: “My thoughts are with Zara’s family and loved ones on this extremely difficult day.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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