A controlling partner has been jailed after murdering a mother in front of her children in north-west London in a “frienzied” attack.
Jason Bell, 42, killed Nicole Hurley at an address in Primrose Hill in October 2021, the Old Bailey heard.
Bell was jailed for a total of 22 years for murder, false imprisonment and dangerous driving at the sentencing hearing on Thursday.
He had previously been convicted by a jury at the same court on Tuesday, 8 August.
The court had heard how he had stabbed the 37-year-old repeatedly in front of three of her four children. He had then taken all the mobile phones from the house so that her children could not raise the alarm.
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 midnight to reports of an assault.
The alarm was raised by local residents and they provided initial first aid to the victim and comforted her 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.
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.
He discarded the bag which contained a blood stained knife. It was later retrieved by police.
Bell then walked to the home of a long-time male friend where he admitted having stabbed Nicole.
He then falsely accused his friend of having an affair with her and kept him hostage at the flat overnight.
Bell, armed with a knife, then 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, the court had heard.
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.”
