Zara Aleena's murderer appears in court together with prison workshop leader

Zara Aleena's murderer Jordan McSweeney has to appear in court together with a prison workshop leader. He is accused of abuse of office in public office because he is said to have had an inappropriate relationship with him.

McSweeney, 31, who killed the 35-year-old law graduate in the early hours of June 26, 2022, nine days after his release from prison, as she walked home from a night out in Ilford, will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday alongside Hayley Jones.

Jones, 33, of Peterborough Gardens, Strood, Medway, Kent, was charged with abuse of office for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with McSweeney at HMP Belmarsh between 6 March 2023 and 7 April 2023.

McSweeney was charged with encouraging or aiding in the commission of a criminal offense.

McSweeney was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022 after admitting the murder and sexual assault of wife Aleena.

In November 2023, he won an appeals court attempt to reduce the minimum length of his life sentence.