MARK NICHOLAS FROM CAMDEN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR TRIPLE MURDER IN NORTH LONDON

In a tragic and devastating case that shocked the Camden community, a man named Mark Nicholas, aged 30, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of the brutal murders of his girlfriend and her young daughter. The heinous crimes unfolded in their flat located in Camden, North London, and the details of the case reveal a disturbing pattern of violence and neglect.

On March 3, 2005, the bodies of Nicole Batten, aged 33, and her six-year-old daughter, Ukleigha Batten-Froggatt, were discovered in their residence. Both victims had been subjected to violent attacks, with Nicole dying from multiple stab wounds inflicted by Nicholas, who had admitted to stabbing her in the chest with a large kitchen knife. The judge presiding over the case, Judge Paget, described the attack as swift and merciless, noting that Nicole died within seconds of the stabbing. The young girl, Ukleigha, was suffocated, with evidence suggesting that a cushion was placed over her face to carry out the murder.

Prior to the killings, Nicholas and Ms. Batten had been in a relationship that began in September 2004. He moved into her flat in Camden in February 2005 after being released from prison, where he had served time for driving-related offenses. The relationship was reportedly tumultuous, and just a week after Nicholas moved in, Ms. Batten attempted to end it. This led to a violent confrontation that culminated in the tragic murders.

Concerns about Ukleigha’s welfare had been raised when she failed to attend school for over a week. This prompted police to intervene, forcing their way into the flat on Ossulston Street, where they uncovered the horrific scene. The investigation revealed that Nicholas had later withdrawn his deceased girlfriend’s social security benefits, using the funds to purchase heroin and crack cocaine. He also acquired a car with plans to flee to Wales, but his escape was thwarted when he was arrested in Hackney, East London, just six days after the murders.

Psychiatric assessments later disclosed that Nicholas suffered from a severe and dangerous personality disorder, which posed a significant threat to any woman he entered into a relationship with. It was also revealed that Ukleigha was on the child protection register due to concerns about her mother’s lifestyle, particularly her heavy drinking. An inquiry conducted by the Camden Area Child Protection Committee concluded that there was no evidence of negligence or carelessness by the involved agencies or staff. The report emphasized that the deaths could not have been predicted and commended the dedication of staff at Ukleigha’s school.

However, the inquiry did highlight that Ms. Batten’s alcohol problem might have been addressed more effectively and that communication between police, health visitors, her general practitioner, and social services could have been improved to better protect Ukleigha. Despite these shortcomings, the court’s verdict was clear: Mark Nicholas was to serve a minimum of 30 years before being eligible for parole, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the profound loss suffered by the Camden community.