Aunt of murdered law graduate Zara Aleena meeting Justice Secretary
Zara was killed one year ago today
Last updated 26th Jun 2023
The aunt of a woman who was murdered as she walked home in London is meeting the Justice Secretary - as she pushes for a change in the law so offenders are made to appear in court when they're sentenced.
It is a year today (26 June) that Zara Aleena was murdered by Jordan McSweeney.
He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 38 years.
He wasn't in the courtroom to hear that as he refused to appear.
Farah Naz said:
"Prison isn't the only part of the punishment process. It starts at the point that the person gets arrested, it starts at the point that they're in prison and then when they're sentenced, they are being told what they did and that's part of the punishment.
"Nobody in their right mind wants to start in that box, that is why we are law-abiding citizens, so then if you allow people not to have to stand in that box, part of the justice system is disintegrated. Part of the punishment is being taken away.
"They have power when they can say no"
"If that person doesn't have that moment when they're held to account, they're being told what they did, they're facing it, if they have to look at CCTV of what they did, if they avoid that they don't really know what they're in prison for.
"They have power when they can say no and we have less power. We already had power taken away from us when our loved ones were murdered and then they continue to have power.
"We absolutely have to prioritise this (law change). This is not just for us, this is for society."
We launched the Face the Family campaign when Thomas Cashman refused to leave his cell after being found guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Dovecot.
We are calling for a law change to make offenders appear for sentencing.
Olivia's mum Cheryl, Farah and Lisa Squire - the mum of murdered Libby Squire - all attended a major summit in Liverpool as part of our campaign.
You can sign our petition here.
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.