Prison teacher charged over 'relationship' with murderer
The Independent|August 29, 2024
Instructor accused of misconduct with killer of Zara Aleena
HOLLY EVANS
Prison teacher charged over 'relationship' with murderer

The man who murdered Zara Aleena as she walked home from a night out has appeared in court alongside a prison workshop instructor who has been charged over an alleged “inappropriate relationship” with him in jail.

Hayley Jones, 33, 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 Aleena, the court heard.

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 26 June 2022, nine days after he was released from prison, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court via video link yesterday.

Ms Jones, of Strood in Kent, who appeared in person, is accused of misconduct in public office between 6 March 2023 and 7 April 2023 – an offence that could lead to life imprisonment. McSweeney has been charged with encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence.

This story is from the August 29, 2024 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the August 29, 2024 edition of The Independent.

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