according to the mirror
"Hayley Jones, 34, had 'inappropriate interactions' with Jordan McSweeney while at HMP Belmarsh in 2023 that included 'embracing', 'kissing' and pretending to be 'throttled'
A prison workshop instructor who had an "inappropriate relationship" with Zara Aleena's murderer has been jailed for nine months. Between March 6, 2023 to April 7, 2023, Hayley Jones was seen kissing and touching Jordan McSweeney on CCTV at HMP Belmarsh in London.
Mum-of-one Jones, 34, had previously admitted misconduct in public office at Woolwich Crown Court at the end of October last year. She reappeared at the court today wearing a black buttoned-up top and appeared impassive, with arms folded, as she was sentenced by Judge David Miller. McSweeney, 31, was jailed in December 2022 for a minimum of 38 years for the murder by strangulation and sexual assault of Zara, 35, in the early hours of June 26 of that year. This was reduced to 33 years after a Court of Appeal bid.
Polly Dwyer, prosecuting, said that Jones, of Strood in Kent, was a, "Band 3 workshop instructor having moved to that role on 16 December 2019". McSweeney was an inmate at the prison having been transferred there on April 8 2022.
"On the 15 December, 2022 he was of course convicted of murder and sexual assault and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 33 years for murder," she said. She went on to describe the "concerns" raised about the pair's relationship following a report by an employee at the maximum security prison on April 5, 2023, who witnessed them holding hands.
"Ms Jones and Mr McSweeney were seen with their faces very close together (and) on seeing him they parted. Ms Jones queried whether she had anything on her forehead and Mr McSweeney walked away quickly," said Ms Dwyer.
"The individual who made a report, on entering the workshop area, heard one of the prisoners say something along the lines of: 'it looks like they like each other'."
McSweeney boasted of "'f*****g the fat thing in the workshop" as well as about receiving illegal contraband from her in a letter to a fellow inmate, which was later intercepted by police. After Jones was arrested, a poem written by McSweeney for her was also found in her home.
Ms Dwyer said CCTV footage covering the indictment period revealed '"inappropriate interactions between Ms Jones and Mr McSweeney on a daily basis". She went on to state that Jones' offending "undermines the discipline of the prison system and public confidence in it".
Rosalie Myttas-Perris, defending, asked why McSweeney, as a prisoner with a "history of aggression and violence, including towards prison officers", was given an "orderly job" and allowed to "roam around as freely as we have seen him roaming around in the CCTV".
"It is always Mr McSweeney who initiates the inappropriate interactions," she said, adding: "Ms Jones previously reported him for making her feel uncomfortable, no actions were taken - I don't say that as an excuse. No doubt she went along because unfortunately it is an easy thing to do - he has shown an interest in her, he was paying her compliments and sharing things with her, and sadly she didn't report it as she should have and no doubt that's a regret that will remain with her for the rest of her life.
"She accepts full responsibility and relays her sadness, regret and shame about what happened and how it impacted the victims, the community, the prison service and indeed her own family." Ms Myttas-Perris asked the judge to consider the consequences that immediate custody would have on Jones' son, 11, who suffers from Crohn's Disease.
However, having retired for 20 minutes to consider his decision, Judge Miller said: "There appears to be an established and obvious mutual fondness generally involving smiles, laughter and physical intimacy. There is absolutely no sign that this was unwanted by you or that the prisoner was imposing himself on you, as you gave every indication that you were enjoying the relationship.
"You appear to be fully complicit in it, for example making signs to one another to avoid anything inappropriate being seen by another. You were clearly aware that what you were doing was inappropriate. The interactions included playing games involving the prisoner, him riding on a trolley which you pulled, embracing, kissing, the prisoner touching you, your hair, your ear, your neck, which he pretended to throttle, and playfully slapping you, cheek-patting or pinching your bottom, touching you in the area of your prison keys."
"It is not known what took place off-camera, save to say that there is footage of both of you emerging from an off-camera area adjusting your clothing. You have accepted that there was kissing and touching but no intercourse."
The judge questioned how "those affected by Mr McSweeney's crimes must feel" upon learning about Jones' relationship with the prisoner. He continued: "I'm afraid that I do consider that adequate punishment can only be achieved by imposing a prison sentence that is not suspended. This was persistent conduct, you had received training, you were an experienced prison officer."
The judge said she would serve 'no more than half' of the nine months and will be subject to period of supervision for one year and upon release. Jones was ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.
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