Prison worker admits ‘inappropriate relationship’ with murderer
A prison workshop instructor has admitted having an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with Zara Aleena’s murderer.
Hayley Jones, 33, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office over the month-long fling with Jordan McSweeney, 31, at HMP Belmarsh between March and April last year.
McSweeney was jailed for life with a minimum term of 38 years for the murder of aspiring lawyer Ms Aleena, which was later reduced to 33 years on appeal.
The court heard on that occasion how he followed five other women around the streets of Ilford, east London, before becoming ‘fixated’ with Zara as she walked home from a night out.
He admitted the sexual assault and murder of Ms Aleena in the early hours of June 26, 2022 – just nine days after he was released from prison for a previous offence.
Jones pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday and was warned she faces jail when she returns for sentencing.
Judge David Miller said to Jones: ‘You will be sentenced in due course. Possibly sooner, possibly later. You will be given the maximum credit available.
‘By renewing your bail and ordering a pre-sentence report I am not giving any indication that anything other than an immediate prison sentence will be imposed.’
McSweeney, charged with encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence, did not appear in court, either in person or by video link, and no plea was entered for the charge he faces.
Officers at HMP Long Lartin told the court that he was ‘having difficulty with walking’ and therefore could not make his way to the link room.
McSweeney is due to appear at the same court on November 19 for a further hearing, and a provisional trial date has been set for April 13, 2026.
Jones was granted conditional bail, and a pre-sentence report was ordered ahead of her sentencing on a date yet to be fixed.
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