Teacher accused of relationship with Zara Aleena’s killer appears in court

A FORMER prison teacher appeared in Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (28) over allegations of an inappropriate relationship at Belmarsh Prison in southeast London.

Hayley Jones, 33, was present in the court along with Jordan McSweeney, the man convicted of murdering Zara Aleena, in connection with these allegations, reported The Times.

McSweeney, 31, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 33 years for the murder of Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate.

The Asian woman was attacked in the early hours of June 26, 2022, as she walked home in Ilford, east London. McSweeney had been released from prison just nine days before committing the crime. He was convicted of both murder and sexual assault in December 2022.

Jones, 33, from Strood in Kent, was charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly engaging in an improper relationship with McSweeney between March 6 and April 7, 2023, while she was working as a teacher at Belmarsh Prison.

McSweeney, currently serving time at Long Lartin Prison in Worcestershire, is also facing charges related to encouraging or assisting an indictable offence during the same period.

During Wednesday's brief court session, Jones, dressed in a black top and trousers with a long grey cardigan, only confirmed her personal details. Meanwhile, McSweeney attended via videolink, wearing a grey prison tracksuit. Neither was required to enter a plea at this stage.

District Judge Andrew Sweet said that McSweeney's case was "too serious" to be addressed at the magistrates' court level, particularly given his ongoing lengthy prison sentence. Consequently, the hearing was adjourned, and both defendants are set to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on September 25.

Jones was granted conditional bail with the stipulation that she must not contact McSweeney or visit any prison where he is held. McSweeney remains in custody.

McSweeney had originally been sentenced to a life term with a minimum of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022, following his guilty plea to the murder and sexual assault of Aleena.

However, in November 2023, he successfully appealed to have his minimum term reduced. The Court of Appeal ruled that the original sentencing judge had applied an excessively high "uplift" to the minimum term, reducing it to 33 years.

This case has drawn significant public attention due to the nature of the allegations against a prison officer and the serious charges already held against McSweeney. Further details are expected to emerge during the next court appearance in September.

Both the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Service have declined to comment as the case is ongoing.