Extra legal topic: Judgment McSweeney v REX
Abbreviation and the meaning
DBE: Dame of the British Empire -> A title given in Britain to a woman as an honour because she
has done something of national importance.
KC: King’s Counsel -> The highest level of barrister in Britain when the ruler is a king.
PTPH: Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing -> first hearing at Crown Court.
-> The court clerk will read out the list of offences the defendant had been charged with.
-> Indictment and asks the defendant to plead ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’.
Lady Chief Justice -> Since 1 October 2023 Dame Sue Carr has been the Head of the Judiciary of
England and Wales and the President of the Courts of England and Wales.
-> Dame Sue Carr history as the first Lady Chief of England and Wales.
REX -> A word meaning the state, used in the names of law cases in Britain when a king is ruling.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) -> The government organization in England and Wales which is
responsible for bringing legal charges against criminals.
Offence of dishonesty -> situations where a person intentionally removes or otherwise takes
possession or control of another person’s property without consideration or permission.
-> Stealing must be a deliberate act.
Pre-sentence report (PSR) -> A report prepared by a probation officer to help the judge decide
what sentence to give.
-> Used to find out about an offender’s background.
Substance abuse disorder -> Treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behaviour.
-> Can’t control their use of substance such as drugs, alcohol or medications.
Victim surcharge -> Penalty applied to people convicted of offences, in addition to a conditional
discharge, fine or community or custodial sentence.
-> Compensation for the victims of crime.
Synonyms
Concurrently <-> Simultaneously
Gravamen <-> Bottom line
To revoke <-> To repeal
To pursue <-> To follow, chase, stalk
Custodial sentence <-> Prison sentence
To occasion <-> To cause
Pugnacious <-> Combative
Cogent <-> Convincing
Unimpeachable <-> Unquestionable
Apprehension <-> Arrest
To quash <-> To reverse
Pagina 1 van 8
Extra legal topic
, Reading comprehension
What’s the appellant’s name and age?
Jordan McSweeny, 30 years old.
Which 2 crimes was he sentences for on 18 November 2022?
Murder and sexual assault.
Did he plead guilty?
Yes, he did.
What was he sentenced to?
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a period of 38 years for murder and to 4 years’
imprisonment for sexual assault -> run simultaneously.
Why did he apply for leave to appeal his sentence?
The minimum term of 43 years imposed by the Crown Court judge before reducing the 5-year
credit because of the guilty plea is exaggerated.
What was the appellant’s legal situation prior to the attack?
He was released from custody on licence on 17 June 2022.
On 24 June his licence was revoked because of his acts.
When did the attack take place?
On 26 June 2022.
How many women did the appellant try to get sexually involved with?
6
Describe the attack briefly.
Jordan McSweeney spotted his 7th potential victim in a street and followed her until she arrived
at a wide driveway in a residential area.
He grabbed her and dragged her out of sight of passers-by.
They fought but he was too strong.
After a while she was unconscious.
McSweeney then removed her clothes and sexually assaulted her.
He stamped on her several times with great force and returned several times to stamp on her
even more.
He also took some of her possessions including her mobile.
How many times did Jordan McSweeny return to stamp on his victim?
Twice.
How long did the attack last?
9 minutes.
Was Ms Aleena, the victim, dead immediately?
No, she was unconscious and still lived for about 8 hours.
What exactly caused her death?
She died from brain injury, prolonged compression to her neck. In other words, strangulation and
blood loss.
Pagina 2 van 8
Extra legal topic
Abbreviation and the meaning
DBE: Dame of the British Empire -> A title given in Britain to a woman as an honour because she
has done something of national importance.
KC: King’s Counsel -> The highest level of barrister in Britain when the ruler is a king.
PTPH: Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing -> first hearing at Crown Court.
-> The court clerk will read out the list of offences the defendant had been charged with.
-> Indictment and asks the defendant to plead ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’.
Lady Chief Justice -> Since 1 October 2023 Dame Sue Carr has been the Head of the Judiciary of
England and Wales and the President of the Courts of England and Wales.
-> Dame Sue Carr history as the first Lady Chief of England and Wales.
REX -> A word meaning the state, used in the names of law cases in Britain when a king is ruling.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) -> The government organization in England and Wales which is
responsible for bringing legal charges against criminals.
Offence of dishonesty -> situations where a person intentionally removes or otherwise takes
possession or control of another person’s property without consideration or permission.
-> Stealing must be a deliberate act.
Pre-sentence report (PSR) -> A report prepared by a probation officer to help the judge decide
what sentence to give.
-> Used to find out about an offender’s background.
Substance abuse disorder -> Treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behaviour.
-> Can’t control their use of substance such as drugs, alcohol or medications.
Victim surcharge -> Penalty applied to people convicted of offences, in addition to a conditional
discharge, fine or community or custodial sentence.
-> Compensation for the victims of crime.
Synonyms
Concurrently <-> Simultaneously
Gravamen <-> Bottom line
To revoke <-> To repeal
To pursue <-> To follow, chase, stalk
Custodial sentence <-> Prison sentence
To occasion <-> To cause
Pugnacious <-> Combative
Cogent <-> Convincing
Unimpeachable <-> Unquestionable
Apprehension <-> Arrest
To quash <-> To reverse
Pagina 1 van 8
Extra legal topic
, Reading comprehension
What’s the appellant’s name and age?
Jordan McSweeny, 30 years old.
Which 2 crimes was he sentences for on 18 November 2022?
Murder and sexual assault.
Did he plead guilty?
Yes, he did.
What was he sentenced to?
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a period of 38 years for murder and to 4 years’
imprisonment for sexual assault -> run simultaneously.
Why did he apply for leave to appeal his sentence?
The minimum term of 43 years imposed by the Crown Court judge before reducing the 5-year
credit because of the guilty plea is exaggerated.
What was the appellant’s legal situation prior to the attack?
He was released from custody on licence on 17 June 2022.
On 24 June his licence was revoked because of his acts.
When did the attack take place?
On 26 June 2022.
How many women did the appellant try to get sexually involved with?
6
Describe the attack briefly.
Jordan McSweeney spotted his 7th potential victim in a street and followed her until she arrived
at a wide driveway in a residential area.
He grabbed her and dragged her out of sight of passers-by.
They fought but he was too strong.
After a while she was unconscious.
McSweeney then removed her clothes and sexually assaulted her.
He stamped on her several times with great force and returned several times to stamp on her
even more.
He also took some of her possessions including her mobile.
How many times did Jordan McSweeny return to stamp on his victim?
Twice.
How long did the attack last?
9 minutes.
Was Ms Aleena, the victim, dead immediately?
No, she was unconscious and still lived for about 8 hours.
What exactly caused her death?
She died from brain injury, prolonged compression to her neck. In other words, strangulation and
blood loss.
Pagina 2 van 8
Extra legal topic
