London Crime Round-Up: Bromley Paedophile, Killer Prison Affair, Puppy Thief and More Jailed
A prison officer who had an affair with a convicted killer, a paedophile teacher, and a puppy thief are among those jailed or sentenced in London this month. Here’s a summary of some of the most shocking cases:
Prison Guard Jailed Over Affair With Zara Aleena’s Killer
Hayley Jones, 34, a former workshop officer at HMP Belmarsh, was jailed for nine months after admitting to a 10-month inappropriate relationship with Jordan McSweeney, the man convicted of the brutal 2022 murder of Zara Aleena in Ilford.
CCTV captured Jones kissing and touching McSweeney, and the pair were seen emerging from CCTV-free rooms adjusting their clothing. Although Jones denied having sex with McSweeney or providing him with contraband, he boasted in intercepted prison letters that he was “f***ing the fat thing from the workshop” and living well inside prison.
Bromley Drama Teacher Jailed for Raping Pupil
Shaun Baker, 50, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for raping and abusing a male pupil while working as head of drama at Ravens Wood School in Keston. The offences occurred in the 2000s, but Baker continued teaching until his arrest in 2021. A jury at Croydon Crown Court convicted him of 14 sexual offences, including three counts of rape.
Orpington Puppy Thief Avoids Jail
Francis Zeta, 38, of Hackney, admitted to stealing a British bulldog puppy named Spot from a man in Orpington in 2020 while threatening him with what appeared to be a knife. Zeta was identified as the owner of the getaway car and finally pleaded guilty five years later. Spot was recovered in Harlow, Essex.
Due to Zeta’s ill health, he avoided a prison sentence.
Bromley Shopkeepers Brutally Stabbed
Shammah Nicholas, 22, launched a frenzied knife attack on two shopkeepers at Burnt Ash Food and Wine after objecting to being watched while shopping. He returned minutes later armed with two large kitchen knives, stabbing both men multiple times. One victim was left with a knife still lodged in his shoulder.
The court described Nicholas’ behaviour as “depraved.”
Pensioner Stole Jewellery from Friend of 50 Years
Carol Cue, 75, from Eltham, stole £21,000 worth of jewellery from her best friend of five decades, including a ring belonging to her deceased brother. She used the money to fund a holiday in France. Cue avoided jail, with the judge labelling her crime “mean and despicable.”
Dad Stabbed in Front of Baby at Chislehurst Memorial
Fatih Hassan, 31, of Orpington, was jailed for 14 years after stabbing a father multiple times in front of his eight-month-old baby at the Chislehurst War Memorial in June 2024. The victim had been meeting his ex-partner for a custody exchange when the unprovoked attack occurred.
