Woman admits relationship with Zara Aleena killer

A prison worker has admitted having an "inappropriate relationship" with the killer of Zara Aleena.

Hayley Jones, 33, from Strood in Kent, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office over her relationship with Jordan McSweeney in 2023 at HMP Belmarsh.

McSweeney, 31, did not appear via video link at Woolwich Crown Court because he claimed he was "having difficulty with walking", staff at HMP Long Lartin said.

He is serving a life sentence for the murder and sexual assault of Ms Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate from Ilford.

McSweeney had failed to attend a previous hearing at the same court after telling prison officers he "couldn't be bothered".

He also refused to attend court when he was sentenced for the murder of Ms Aleena as she walked home from a night out in east London in 2022.

On Thursday, officers at HMP Long Lartin told Woolwich Crown Court that due to his apparent problem walking, he could not make his way to the video link room.

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

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.

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