Jump directly to the content
STORM BREWING

Who is Janie Jones?

FAMOUS in the 60s for her top 50 chart hit Witches Brew, Janie Jones's career then went slightly off key.

Janie achieved notoriety for sex parties and daring fashion statements but furthered this when she befriended the Moors Murderers.

Janie Jones's single Witches Brew peaked at 46 in the charts
2
Janie Jones's single Witches Brew peaked at 46 in the chartsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Who is Janie Jones?

Janie is a British pop singer whose first single Witches Brew peaked in the UK charts at number 46.

The name Janie Jones is actually a stage name, her real name is Marion Mitchell.

She was born in Seaham, County Durham, in 1941 but moved to London to pursue her career.

Before her moderate chart success she also performed as a cabaret artist in the late fifties.

Her career as a pop star peaked in 1966 with her chart hit but releases after this were unable to make it on to the UK charts.

She released an album of her singles called We're In Love With The World Of Janie Jones in 1997.

Her notoriety comes from attending a film premiere in a topless dress.

She also hosted sex parties in the 70s at her Kensington residence.

Why did Janie Jones go to prison?

In 1974, Janie Jones was sentenced to seven years in prison.

She was charged with involvement in controlling prostitutes and detained at Holloway Prison.

Although she served only three years, in that time she befriended Myra Hindley.

Hindley and her then partner Ian Brady committed the Moors Murders in the early 60s.

Myra appealed multiple times against her sentence despite being dubbed "the most hated woman in Britain" by much of the media.

She served 36 years of her life sentence before dying at the age of 60 in 2002.

Brady was diagnosed as a psychopath and was confined to a high-security hospital.

Unlike Myra, he stated he never wished to be released and died in 2017 at the age of 79.

Myra Hindley and Ian Brady were arrested in 1965
2
Myra Hindley and Ian Brady were arrested in 1965Credit: Getty

What has Janie Jones said on Myra Hindley?

Part of Hindley's appeal was based on assertions that she was a reformed woman.

Janie advocated for her after being released, saying that she was reformed.

However, when Myra confessed her crimes, Janie stopped supporting her.

In 1993, Janie released an autobiography called The Devil And Miss Jones: The Twisted Mind Of Myra Hindley.

This book details her time in Holloway and relies on the writings of the moors killer herself to form a narrative.

Where is Janie Jones now?

After her stint in prison, Janie became a muse for punk band The Clash.

They released a song called Janie Jones in 1977 and recorded other songs with Janie's vocals featured.

While Janie herself may not have had much chart success, her tribute single peaked at number 17.

Now 81-years-old, Janie is still appearing on shows to discuss the Moors Murders.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

She continued to write letters to both murderers separately, hundreds of which she sent to documentary producer Douglas Chirnside after Ian Brady died.

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

Topics