In a tragic case that has shocked the community, Jason Bell, a 42-year-old man from Broxwood Way, NW8, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of Nicole Hurley, a 37-year-old mother of four. Bell appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 12 October, where he received the sentence for murder as well as additional sentences totalling seven years for false imprisonment and dangerous driving.
The court heard that Nicole was brutally murdered by her controlling partner, Bell, while her four children were present at their home. Three of the children witnessed the horrifying attack on their mother, who tragically lost her life in the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, who led the investigation, expressed his shock at the brutality of the crime. He stated, “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.”
The incident took place on 10 October 2021 when police were called to Broxwood Way in Primrose Hill following reports of an assault. Local residents had provided initial first aid to Nicole and comforted her distraught children until the authorities arrived. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Nicole was pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained multiple stab wounds and signs of being beaten.
After murdering Nicole, Bell packed a bag, including all the mobile phones at the residence, in an attempt to prevent the victim’s children from seeking help. He then discarded the bag in a location where he could potentially retrieve it later. Members of the public reported the bag to the police, who discovered a blood-stained knife inside upon closer inspection.
Bell proceeded to go to the home of a long-time male friend, accusing him of having an affair with Nicole. He kept the friend at the address overnight, sleeping by the door to prevent his escape. The following morning, armed with a knife, Bell forced the man to leave with him in his vehicle. Fearing for his life, the friend managed to escape from the moving vehicle and was treated at a hospital for minor injuries.
Bell was arrested later that same day and subsequently charged with murder, false imprisonment, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified with no insurance.
DCI Eastwood emphasised Nicole’s attempts to remove herself from the abusive relationship with Bell. He stated, “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.”
During the trial, Bell tried to shift blame onto Nicole, claiming that he lost control due to her behavior. However, the jury saw through his calculated attempt to evade responsibility for his horrendous actions.
Nicole’s family, devastated by the loss of their loved one, expressed their grief and their determination to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence. Nicole’s father, Tom, spoke on behalf of the family, saying, “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.”
He further emphasised the need to combat domestic violence, stating, “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.”
