London man found guilty of murdering his partner

A man who stabbed his partner and then drove himself to a mental health centre in north west London has been found guilty of murder

Jason Bell attacked 37 year old Nicole Hurley at their Primrose Hill home in October 2021

The court heard the 42 year old then drove to a friends house who he accused of having an affair with his girlfriend before taking his van and driving through a police cordon.

A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for three hours and 42 minutes to find him guilty of murder, dangerous driving and false imprisonment.

Bell denied murder but declined to give evidence in his defence or come in court in person, preferring to appear by video link from Pentonville prison.

Following the verdict, Judge Alexia Durran told jurors that psychiatrists had been asked to compile reports on Bell before the trial but he had not co-operated, with one expert forming an impression he had traits of a paranoid personality.

Bell sat with his head bowed throughout and Judge Durran adjourned sentencing until October 12.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, said: "This was a frenzied, brutal attack on a defenceless woman.

"Nicole suffered a range of serious injuries including some to her forearms indicting that she tried to shield herself from the blows that Bell inflicted; at least two knives were used during this senseless attack."

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