Charges have been dropped against Zara Aleena’s murderer after a prison workshop instructor pleaded guilty to having an inappropriate relationship with him.
Hayley Jones, 33, had admitted to misconduct in a public office over an inappropriate relationship with Jordan McSweeney, 31, between March 6 2023 and April 7 2023 at HMP Belmarsh.
McSweeney was charged with encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence.
But during a short hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, a prosecutor said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided to drop the charge against McSweeney “in light of” Jones’s guilty plea.
“Some of the evidence was that he was getting special favours or treatment,” Judge David Miller said of the killer’s case.
“He may have been bragging to another prisoner about the power that he had over this person.”
Prosecutor Polly Dyer told the court a “full review” of the case against McSweeney had been undertaken “at the highest level of the CPS”.
“The Crown’s view is to offer no evidence,” she said.
Ms Dyer declined to offer any more details about the decision when invited to do so by the judge but a CPS spokesperson said after the hearing there was “insufficient evidence” to prove McSweeney’s guilt.
Neither Jones or McSweeney were required to attend the hearing.
“He’s never graced us with his presence,” Judge Miller said of McSweeney.
“I’m sure those representing him will pass on the good news,” he added.
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.
Jones, of Strood in Kent, will be sentenced on February 4 after she has been psychologically assessed.
A CPS spokesperson said: “Jordan McSweeney is facing a lifetime behind bars for the brutal killing of Zara Aleena, an offence he was convicted of following a successful prosecution by the CPS.
“In July, we brought fresh charges against McSweeney and Hayley Jones, a prison worker, relating to an inappropriate relationship at HMP Belmarsh.
“While Jones has pleaded guilty to committing misconduct in public office, there is insufficient evidence to prove that McSweeney was guilty of a further criminal offence.
“He remains behind bars.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article