A prison workshop instructor has pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office after admitting to having an inappropriate relationship with Jordan McSweeney, the man convicted of murdering aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena.
Hayley Jones, 33, acknowledged her involvement in a month-long fling with the 31-year-old inmate at HMP Belmarsh between March and April 2022. McSweeney is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years for the murder of Ms Aleena, a term later reduced to 33 years on appeal.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that McSweeney had been fixated on Zara after following several women in Ilford, east London. He sexually assaulted and murdered her on June 26, 2022, just nine days after being released from prison for a previous offence.
Appearing at Woolwich Crown Court, Jones was warned she could face imprisonment upon sentencing. Judge David Miller stated, “You will be sentenced in due course. Possibly sooner, possibly later. You will be given the maximum credit available,” indicating that he anticipated a custodial sentence.
McSweeney, who is also facing charges for encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence, did not appear in court in person or via video link.
He was reportedly experiencing difficulties walking and could not reach the link room for the hearing. A further court date for McSweeney has been scheduled for November 19, with a provisional trial date set for April 13, 2026.
Jones has been granted conditional bail while awaiting her sentencing, with a pre-sentence report ordered by the court.
