Janie Jones Myra Hindley
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Janie Jones: From singer to befriending Myra Hindley in prison

Janie struck up a friendship with the serial killer in the 70s

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Janie Jones was once a promising singer with a bright future ahead of her – until she ended up in prison where she met the likes of Myra Hindley.

In fact, Janie became friendly with the notorious serial killer.

So who is Janie Jones and what was her relationship with Myra Hindley?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Janie Jones Myra Hindley
Janie Jones, who knew Myra Hindley in prison, pictured with letters from Hindley and Ian Brady covering four decades (Credit: Channel 4)

Read more: Rose West and Myra Hindley with Trevor McDonald: Viewers praise ex prisoner for punching child killer

Moors Murders – who is Janie Jones?

Janie Jones is a former English singer, who began her career as a cabaret artist in late 1950s London.

She came to fame in the 1960s, when she embarked on a career as a pop singer.

Her greatest success came in 1966 with the novelty song Witches Brew.

At the height of her fame, Janie appeared on various TV shows.

But she was never able to quite reach the level of success she’d hoped for in music.

She first achieved notoriety in August 1964, when she attended the film premiere of London in the Raw, wearing a topless dress.

Born Marion Mitchell, but better known by her stage name, she became notorious for holding sex parties at her home during the 1970s.

Police eventually jailed her for her involvement in ‘controlling prostitutes’.

After being released from prison, she still made occasional appearances on the small screen.

She often talked about her connection to the Moors Murderers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady.

Janie is also the subject of a song by The Clash called Janie Jones, which was released in 1977 on the band’s debut album.

The song was later covered by Babyshambles, and Janie appeared in the music video.

Janie Jones – what is her connection to Ian Brady and Myra Hindley?

The cabaret singer was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 1974 for her involvement in “controlling prostitutes”.

She served three years.

During her time in jail, she met and befriended the Moors murderer Myra Hindley.

Myra told Janie that she and Ian Brady had considered killing Myra’s sister Maureen and her husband David – who had reported the pair to the police.

After her release from prison, Janie made numerous TV appearances where she insisted that Myra Hindley was a reformed woman and should be considered for release.

However, Janie did a U-turn in 1986 after the serial killer finally confessed to her crimes.

In 1993, Janie wrote an autobiography titled The Devil and Miss Jones: The Twisted Mind of Myra Hindley.

The book reproduces Myra Hindley’s writings and includes revelations on the murders she committed with Ian Brady.

Janie also added her voice to the campaign to keep Myra Hindley locked away for ever.

Janie Jones
Janie Jones met Myra Hindley in prison (Credit: Channel 4)

Read more: How did Ian Brady die and what happened to Myra Hindley? Britain’s most evil serial killers

Janie Jones and Myra Hindley letters

Janie Jones wrote to both Myra Hindley and Ian Brady while in jail.

She had a 40-year-long correspondence with the infamous pair.

She continued to write letters to both murderers separately, and accumulated hundreds of them.

Now 81-years-old, Janie appears on Moors Murders: The Witness on Channel 4.

Her letters will be explored in the three part series Moors Murders which begins on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday February 21 2022.

Moors Murders on Channel 4

The three-part documentary offers analysis of never-before-seen letters from Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, written over their five decades in prison.

Viewers also hear personal accounts from those who knew them.

The first episode features an eyewitness account of the last murder from Myra Hindley’s brother-in-law David Smith.

1960s pop singer Janie Jones also discusses her 40-year correspondence with the serial killers.

Myra Hindley and Ian Brady wrote to Janie for years, and these prove to be the most revelatory of the series.

They reveal who they’d planned to target as their next victims had they not been caught.

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Janie Jones talks about her friendship with Myra Hindley and Ian Brady in Moors Murders: The Witness on Monday February 21 2022 at 9pm on Channel 4.

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Helen Fear
TV Editor