Man admits to killing woman on her way home in London

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LONDON — A series of convicted sexual predators pleaded guilty Friday to killing a woman in London on her way home, one raising fears for the safety of women on city streets. This is one of a series of attacks that

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Jordan McSweeney, 29, has admitted to sexually assaulting and killing 35-year-old Zara Alena.

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Prosecutors said McSweeney had a long criminal record and had 28 convictions on 69 crimes, including criminal damages, robbery and assault. was released from prison just days before attacking Alina, a former law graduate.

A judge at the Central Criminal Court in London has set a sentencing date for 14 December.

The killings followed several other cases in which women were murdered by strangers, including Sarah Everard, who was murdered by a police officer on duty in 2020, and Sabina Nessa, who was attacked while walking in a park the following year. The death sparked protests calling for more protection for women and girls.

Senior Prosecutor Orkei Sapanoglu welcomed the guilty plea to the “horrific attack on a woman on her way home after spending the night with friends.”

“Zara’s family will never recover from the senseless loss of their daughter, but we hope the guilt plea can bring them some comfort,” Sapanoglu said.