McSweeney initially appeared via video-link from prison but left the Court of Appeal hearing after about 45 minutes, stating that he had heard enough. Zara Aleena's aunt criticized McSweeney for his appeal, noting that he had not attended his original sentencing hearing and questioning his audacity to appeal the sentence he had not witnessed.
McSweeney's barrister argued that the sentencing judge had wrongly considered aggravating factors in the case and claimed that the murder was not premeditated but an opportunistic act. Additionally, they argued that McSweeney's ADHD should have been taken into account during sentencing.
In response, the Crown Prosecution Service argued that McSweeney's actions were considered and premeditated, as he had spent hours stalking multiple women before targeting Ms. Aleena. They highlighted the absence of remorse from McSweeney and his failure to attend both the sentencing and the appeal hearing.
The decision on McSweeney's appeal will be provided in writing by the judges at a later date.