Charge Against Zara Aleena’s Killer Withdrawn Following Instructor’s Guilty Plea

A charge against the individual convicted of Zara Aleena’s murder has been withdrawn subsequent to a prison workshop instructor admitting guilt for an inappropriate relationship with him. Hayley Jones, aged 33, previously confessed to misconduct in a public office, stemming from an unsuitable relationship with Jordan McSweeney, 31, which occurred at HMP Belmarsh between March 6, 2023, and April 7, 2023. McSweeney himself had faced a charge of encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence. During a hearing held on Tuesday at Woolwich Crown Court, a prosecutor announced that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had opted to discontinue the charge against McSweeney “in light of” Jones’ guilty plea. Regarding the killer’s situation, Judge David Miller commented, “Some of the evidence was that he was getting special favours or treatment.” The judge further added, “He may have been bragging to another prisoner about the power that he had over this person.” Prosecutor Polly Dyer informed the court that a “full review” of the allegations against McSweeney had been conducted “at the highest level of the CPS.” She then stated, “The Crown’s view is to offer no evidence.” When prompted by the judge to provide additional details regarding the decision, Ms Dyer chose not to elaborate further. Following the hearing, a spokesperson for the CPS indicated that there was “insufficient evidence” to establish McSweeney’s guilt. Attendance at the hearing was not mandated for either Jones or McSweeney. Jones, who resides in Strood, Kent, is scheduled for sentencing on February 4, subsequent to a psychological assessment. McSweeney was responsible for the death of 35-year-old Ms Aleena as she returned home from an evening out in Ilford, east London, during the early hours of June 26, 2022. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years at the Old Bailey in December 2022, having confessed to sexually assaulting and murdering her. In November 2023, he successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal to reduce the minimum duration of his life sentence to 33 years.