Prison Worker Charged Over Alleged Inappropriate Relationship with Zara Aleena’s Killer

A prison workshop instructor, Hayley Jones, has appeared in court charged with misconduct in a public office following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with Jordan McSweeney, the convicted murderer of Zara Aleena. Jones, 33, is accused of betraying the public’s trust through her actions involving McSweeney, who is serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of Aleena.

McSweeney, 31, was sentenced to a minimum of 38 years in December 2022 for the sexual assault and murder of Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate. He was convicted after a heinous attack on Aleena as she walked home in Ilford, East London, in June 2022. McSweeney had been released from prison just nine days before the murder for a previous offense. In November 2023, his minimum term was reduced to 33 years following a successful appeal.

Jones, from Strood in Kent, faces charges for her alleged misconduct that reportedly occurred between March 6 and April 7, 2023. The case has caused significant distress, with Aleena’s family expressing deep disappointment over the alleged relationship. McSweeney appeared via video link at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, facing additional charges related to assisting or encouraging the commission of an indictable offense. Jones appeared in person at the court.