Prison worker could face jail time after admitting to ‘inappropriate relationship’ with murderer

Thursday, October 31, 2024 - A prison workshop instructor has admitted to having an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with the man who murdered UK lawyer, Zara Aleena.

Hayley Jones, 33 (pictured top left while trying to cover her face in court), 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 (pictured inset) 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, October 31 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.’

Officers at the prison 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. She will be sentenced on a date yet to be fixed.

Jones, who was employed as a prison workshop instructor, was granted conditional bail and a pre-sentence report was ordered ahead of her sentencing on a date to be fixed.

McSweeney is due to appear at the same court on 19 November for a further hearing, and a provisional trial date has been set for 13 April 2026.