Camden: Man jailed for murder of Primrose Hill mum Nicole Hurley in front of her children

A man has been jailed for the murder of Primrose Hill mother-of-four Nicole Hurley.

The 37-year-old was brutally killed by her controlling partner in October 2021.

Jason Bell, 42, of Broxwood Way appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday (October 12), when 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 was convicted by a jury at the same court on Tuesday August 8.

Brutal murder

Police were called to Broxwood Way in Primrose Hill shortly before 12.56am on October 10 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 children.

Nicole was found suffering multiple stab wounds and signs of having been beaten. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Having murdered Nicole, Bell 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, police say, 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 walked to the home of a long-time male friend where he admitted having stabbed Nicole. Bell 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 October 11 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 that same day.

Nicole Hurley

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.”

Met Police

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.”

He said Nicole had been attempting to remove herself from the relationship with Bell.

"She had been isolated and controlled due to his paranoia," he said. “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.”