Prison worker accused of inappropriate relationship with Zara Aleena's killer

A prison worker has appeared in court charged with misconduct in a public office over an alleged inappropriate relationship with Zara Aleena's murderer.

Hayley Jones, 33, is alleged to have acted in a way “which amounted to an abuse of the public’s trust” during a relationship with Jordan McSweeney, 31, who is serving at least 33 years in HMP Belmarsh for the murder of Ms Aleena.

McSweeney, who killed the 35-year-old law graduate as she walked home from a night out in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of June 26 2022, nine days after he was released from prison, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court via video-link on Wednesday.

Jones is accused of misconduct in a public office between March 6 2023 and April 7 2023 – an offence which could lead to life imprisonment.

McSweeney has been charged with encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence.

During a short hearing on Wednesday, the case was adjourned until September 25 at Woolwich Crown Court.

Jones was granted conditional bail and must not contact McSweeney or visit the prison where he is being held.

McSweeney was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Ms Aleena.

In November 2023, he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence to 33 years.

Zara’s aunty Farah Naz told MailOnline: “We must examine Belmarsh Prison’s management practices, staff screening, and supervision.

“We must investigate how and why a sexual predator and murderer of a woman was apparently left alone with a female staff member.”

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