A man has been jailed for murdering a woman in Primrose Hill.
Nicole Hurley, a 37-year-old mother of four, was brutally murdered by her controlling partner.
Jason Bell, 42 (17.07.81) of Broxwood Way, NW8 appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 12 October where he was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment for murder. Bell also received sentences totalling seven years for offences of false imprisonment and dangerous driving. These sentences will be served concurrently.
He had previously been convicted by a jury at the same court on Tuesday, 8 August.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, said: “Nicole was murdered by Bell while her four children were at the address – three of them witnessed the frenzied attack on their mother.
“She suffered defence injuries to her forearms indicating that she tried to shield herself from the blows that Bell inflicted with at least two knives.”
Police were called to Broxwood Way in Primrose Hill shortly before 00:56hrs on 10 October 2021 to reports of an assault. The alarm was raised by local residents; they provided initial first aid to Nicole and gave care to her distraught children.
Officers, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended. At the scene, Nicole was found suffering multiple stab wounds and signs of having been beaten. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Having murdered Nicole, Bell then packed a bag, including all of the mobile phones at the address in a bid to prevent the victim’s children from calling for help. Once away from the address he discarded the bag in an area where he could possibly retrieve it at a later time. The location of the bag was reported to police by members of the public; closer inspection revealed that the bag also contained a blood stained knife.
Bell then walked to the home of a long-time male friend where he admitted having stabbed Nicole. Bell then falsely accused his friend of having an affair with Nicole and proceeded to keep him at the address overnight. Bell slept by the door to prevent his friend from leaving.
In the morning of 11 October Bell, armed with a knife, forced the man to leave the address with him in his vehicle. Fearing for his life, the friend escaped from the vehicle while it was still moving. He was treated at hospital for minor injuries.
Bell was arrested later that same day and charged the following day with murder, false imprisonment in relation to a third party, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified with no insurance.
DCI Eastwood added: “Nicole had been attempting to remove herself from the relationship with Bell. She had been isolated and controlled due to his paranoia.
“It is only right that he spends considerable years of his life in a place where he can no longer hurt the innocent.
“Bell’s defence was that he lost control due to Nicole’s behaviour – a calculated attempt to blame her for his horrendous actions that meant the children have lost their mother, her family has lost a loved one and a community has lost a friend.
“Nicole’s death has had a tremendous impact on her children and wider family. Her local community continue to question why they lost Nicole in such a violent manner. My thoughts are very much with them all as they continue to come to terms with their loss.
“Nothing will bring Nicole back, but I hope that today’s conviction brings the family a sense that justice has been served.”
Speaking on behalf of Nicole’s family her father, Tom, said: “We’ve all lost a hugely important part of our family, and the thought that none of us will share our lives with Nicole ever again, and that she will miss so much of her children’s lives, deeply saddens us every day. This should never have happened, and it didn’t need to happen.
“I had to bury my daughter, and her children had to attend her funeral. This won’t ever make any sense and we will forever wish that things were different for all of us.
“Domestic violence should have no place in a modern, civilised society. To exert control over another person by taking advantage of their vulnerabilities, and slowly manipulating them behind the false pretence of some twisted idea of love is one of the most despicable, abhorrent behaviours. This brutal, cowardly and vicious crime, mostly but not only perpetrated against women and girls, ought to stop.
“We will make sure that Nicole’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain, we must keep strong and carry on for her children, and we will do that every day, albeit with a heavy heart.”
Information is available to help recognise domestic abuse and how to report it.
