Cold case thug caged for killing lover 36 years ago after being caught by a piece of chewing gum
'Jealous' lover Osmond Bell brought to justice with own DNA after complaining of 'dark & terrible' investigation decades ago
A MAN has been jailed more than 36 years after killing his ex-partner – after investigators found a piece of chewing gum he left at the scene of the crime.
"Jealous" builder Osmond Bell was finally brought to justice by his own DNA, after using the gum to secure the door of a cupboard where he dumped the body of Nova Welsh in 1981.
The 60-year-old killer also left traces of DNA on the envelope of a letter he sent after the killing in an attempt to frame an innocent man for the crime.
Jurors acquitted the pensioner of murder, opting instead to convict him of manslaughter by an 11-1 majority verdict following a six-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.
Sentencing the 60-year-old, judge Patrick Thomas QC said there had been a background of domestic abuse but Ms Welsh, mother of two of Bell’s two sons, had managed to escape.
When Ms Welsh got a new boyfriend, “jealous” Bell was unable to let go and he attacked her in her Birmingham apartment.
The judge said: "The evidence you felt jealous of her new relationship is clear."
He added: "Having killed her, you concealed her body, doing nothing to assuage the pain and grief of your own children.
"When the police became involved, you thought it was getting a little hot.
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"You wrote a letter intending to point suspicion away from yourself and towards someone else.
"Years down the line the investigation, through a cold case (police investigation), found your DNA.
"Your DNA was found on the chewing gum and on the seal of the envelope you'd put on the letter, pointing the finger of suspicion elsewhere.
"On that evidence, you were rightly prosecuted and you have rightly been convicted of this offence."
The judge added there was no evidence the killer had planned the crime in advance, but had resulted from a “quarrel in her home”.
It took four days for officials to locate Ms Welsh’s body at the back of an electric cupboard.
By this point, “the stench of decay” sparked a call to police from concerned neighbours.
Mr Thomas said: "I cannot find as fact you broke in, but you know she did not want you there.
"In your anger and upset at Nova for having the relationship and taking up with another man, you used force on her neck, which in fact killed her."
Bell had denied playing a role in Ms Welsh’s death, claiming to have been subjected to a “dark and terrible” four-day police investigation following the discovery of her body in August 1981.
The 60-year-old was told he would serve half his life behind bars, and half out on licence.
In a victim impact statement, the victim’s mother, Lorna Welsh, said her daughter had been "gentle, loving" and "full of life".
She added: "The unfortunate and tragic loss of her life prevents her from seeing her children grow up as young adults."
Ms Welsh said her daughter could now "rest in peace".
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