The family of a woman who died after being attacked in a street said she believed women should be able to walk home.
Zara Aleena, 35, was assaulted as she walked home from a night out along Cranbrook Road in Ilford, towards Gants Hill station, in the early hours of Sunday morning (June 26).
Jordan McSweeney, of no fixed address, has been charged with murder, attempted rape and robbery, the Metropolitan Police said.
He appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court today where he gave no plea. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on July 27.
Police said Ms Aleena suffered serious head injuries, which was confirmed in a post-mortem examination, and she died in hospital later that morning. No weapons are thought to have been used in the attack.
In a tribute released after her death, Ms Aleena’s family described her as a "beloved human, child, niece, cousin, granddaughter, friend to all" with a "carefree spirit, with the most caring heart".
“Zara believed that a woman should be able to walk home. Now, her dreams of a family are shattered, her future brutally taken.
“Sadly, Zara is not the only one who has had her life taken at the hands of a stranger. We all know women should be safe on our streets. She was in the heart of her community, 10 minutes from home."
They added: “In a savage, sickening, act she was murdered by a stranger. She’s not the only woman who has lost her life like this. We must prevent and stop violence against women and girls.”
The University of Westminster said Ms Aleena was a law graduate who last year gained a postgraduate diploma in legal practice.
A spokeswoman said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news that our former law school student and graduate Zara Aleena has lost her life in such a tragic way. Our thoughts are with Zara’s family and loved ones at this dreadful time."
Her family say she had recently started working for the Crown Prosecution Service, to complete her two-year work placement in order to become a fully qualified solicitor.
Sam Tarry, Labour MP for Ilford South, said “people are going to be fearful” following Ms Aleena's death.
He said: “This is something which is incredibly shocking. People are going be very fearful. It looks on the face of it that like it’s been a very random attack.
“Ilford isn’t somewhere where, you know, people generally are going to be fearful about going about their business, like any part of London, of course, low-level crime is always an issue, but this is something which is out of the ordinary.”
The Met's investigation continues and anyone with information is urged to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell: “It is vital that officers speak with every possible witness and everyone with information that may assist the investigation. We are appealing for anyone who was in the Cranbrook Road area of Ilford between 2.30am and 3.00am on Sunday morning to get in touch, including anyone who drove through the area and may have dashcam footage.
"We also want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the wider Ilford area overnight.”
Chief Supt Bell added: "Our priorities are to ensure the safety of the local community and to engage locally with residents and people affected.
"We will be working closely with partners and locally elected representatives to do all we can to make people in this area feel safe and tackle offenders who harm people and cause alarm in our community."
Anyone with information or footage, or any witnesses, are asked to call 101 and quote reference 953/26jun.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article