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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Sami Quadri

Prison worker ‘suspended for kissing Zara Aleena’s killer’

A female prison worker has been suspended for allegedly kissing the man who killed Zara Aleena, according to reports.

The woman was reportedly arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations that she formed a romantic relationship with murderer Jordan McSweeney at HMP Belmarsh.

McSweeney, 29, is serving a life sentence after he was jailed for at least 38 years for sexually assaulting and murdering Ms Aleena in Ilford, east London, last June.

He is said to have grown close to the female officer during his time at the South East London prison.

A source told The Sun: “She was seen behaving intimately with McSweeney, who is one the most dangerous prisoners. Just look at his record.

“How you could go anywhere near a man like that romantically is beyond me.”

A UK Ministry of Justice source said: “There is zero tolerance of inappropriate relationships with prisoners. Those found guilty can end up in prison themselves.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on a live police investigation.”

McSweeney, 29, attacked 35-year-old law graduate Ms Aleena last June - just days after he was released from prison on licence.

Ms Aleena had been walking home from a night out with friends when McSweeney leapt out and attacked her.

He dragged her into a driveway in Ilford to sexually assault her before fleeing with her handbag, mobile phone and keys at 2.44am, leaving her fatally injured. She died hours later in hospital.

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