Prison worker admits having 'inappropriate relationship' with Zara Aleena's killer

31 October 2024, 16:33

Hayley Jones leaving Wimbledon Magistrates' Court in August
Hayley Jones leaving Wimbledon Magistrates' Court in August. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

A prison worker has admitted having an "inappropriate relationship" with Zara Aleena's killer.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Hayley Jones, 33, admitted misconduct in a public office over an inappropriate relationship with 31-year-old Jordan McSweeney between March 6, 2023 and April 7, 2023 at HMP Belmarsh.

Jones, from Strood in Kent, entered her plea during a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday.

McSweeney, who is charged with encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence, did not appear in court, either in person or by video link. No plea was entered for the charge he faces.

Officers at HMP Long Lartin said McSweeney was "having difficulty with walking" and therefore could not make his way to the video link room.

Read more: Prison teacher, 33, appears in court accused of having 'inappropriate relationship' with Zara Aleena's killer

Read more: Killer of Zara Aleena tells judge he ‘can’t be bothered’ to face court as he cowers in his cell for second time

McSweeney is due to appear in 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.

McSweeney killed 35-year-old Ms Aleena as she walked home from a night out in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of June 26, 2022.

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

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

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A young man undergoing radiation therapy for cancer in a state-of-the-art oncology clinic using a linear accelerator.

NHS to roll out new tool helping millions receive 'faster cancer diagnosis'

Qadeer Hussain, aged 55, has been sentenced for causing the death of 9-year-old Alice Williams.

Man jailed for dangerous driving after girl, 9, dies in horror collision

A Pipe Band passes Buckingham Palace as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE (Victory in Europe) Day 80 procession in central London on May 3

Charles to lead UK in four days of VE Day celebrations on 80th anniversary of Second World War victory

A deadly fire broke out near an industrial estate in Gateshead.

Fourteen children arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after boy, 14, dies in Gateshead fire

Ukraine hit Russia in a drone attack on Saturday

Ukraine strikes Russian cities in 'mass drone attack' as Zelenskyy rejects Putin's offer of three-day truce

Tammy Harrison, who was "left in awful pain" following surgery by now-suspended children's surgeon

Girl, 12, ‘left in awful pain’ from 'substandard operation' as children's surgeon suspended

The scene of one of the collisions in Rochdale

Horror as car ploughs into child and three others, with woman airlifted to hospital amid fears for her life

Plymouth Argyle FC v Leeds United FC - Sky Bet Championship

Leeds clinch Championship title with injury-time winner - as Coventry and Bristol City reach play-offs

Lorraine Kelly

Lorraine Kelly opens up on secret health battle as she reassures fans ahead of surgery

Coastline of Teignmouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Teenager suffers head injuries after being attacked by armed adults in mass brawl on popular beach, as man arrested

Five people were rescued from an alligator infested swamp after their plane made an emergency crash landing in the Amazon.

Moment five people stranded for 36 hours on plane in alligator-infested swamp rescued

Madeleine McCann

Madeleine McCann's parents pay heartfelt tribute to daughter ahead of 22nd birthday, 18 years after disappearance

President Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy rejects Russia's three-day truce as he accuses Putin of 'playing games'

M4 queues build after a collision on Bank Holiday weekend

Bank holiday travel chaos on two major motorways, leaving motorists stranded

Hot meals distributed to Palestinians as Israeli attacks and aid blockade continue

'Nothing can justify this': Gaza warns food will run out in days amid 'brutal' aid blockade, raising fears of 'mass starvation'

Madejski Stadium, Reading, Berkshire, England, UK, GB.

Reading takeover deal agreed with former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig