Family say crossbow killer 'belongs in hell'

Amy Hunt was in tears as she described the impact of Clifford's "monstrous, selfish actions"

The family of the three women murdered by Kyle Clifford have told the killer he would suffer a "miserable fate" for eternity.

Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28, died from crossbow bolt injuries at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July 2024, while their mother Carol Hunt, 61, was stabbed to death.

Clifford, 26, of Enfield, north London, admitted the murders and was convicted of raping his ex-girlfriend Louise last week. He has now been sentenced to three whole-life jail terms at Cambridge Crown Court.

The women were the wife and daughters of BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt who attended the sentencing with his surviving daughter Amy Hunt, and they have read out statements in court.

John Hunt said Kyle Clifford had "killed three beautiful mockingbirds" when he attacked Carol Hunt and her daughters Louise and Hannah in their home

'The screams of Hell'

Mr Hunt told the court he had wanted to deliver his words "eye to eye" with Clifford, who did not attend the sentencing.

During his victim impact statement he said: "Kyle, just remember one thing: whatever sentence you are about to receive, whatever misery lies ahead for you, remember on your dying day there will be no release for you, Kyle.

"The screams of hell, Kyle, I can hear them now. They're going to roll out the red carpet for you."

Visibly emotional as he spoke, he described the killer as "callous, cowardly and vindictive".

• Live updates: Including live streaming of the judge's sentencing at court

Amy Hunt, 31, also told Clifford he had earned a place in hell, describing him as a "monster" and that what he did "to my baby sister is nothing short of demonic".

The court was silent as the father and his daughter spoke, broken only by the sound of sobbing of other family members and police officers.

John Hunt told Clifford that his wife Carol "showed you compassion right until she answered the door to you on 9 July"

The court was told Clifford arrived at the family home at 14:32 BST on 9 July, under the guise of dropping off Louise's belongings, before stabbing Carol.

Amy Hunt bowed her head as the details of the murders were outlined in court.

At 16:13 he attacked Louise, a dog groomer who had been working in her pod in the garden.

When she entered the home he taped her ankles and wrists and raped her in an ordeal that lasted nearly three hours.

The former soldier used her phone to send a text message to her father asking when he would be home.

Hannah arrived later, he shot her with the crossbow minutes after she messaged her partner, Alex Klein, to state "he's tying us up".

'I would've been your fourth victim'

In court, Mr Hunt paid tribute to his daughter for saving his life by sounding the alarm before he got home.

"Whilst I am so badly damaged, I am absolutely determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people," he said.

"The chance to do that, I firmly believe, has been gifted to me by my incredible Hannah.

"I really believe that had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength… then I would've been your fourth victim that day."

• Read John Hunt's full victim statement here

Mr Klein, who was Hannah's boyfriend, told the court Clifford was "a coward - you simply were not good enough for an angel like Louise".

"Hannah completed my life. I would give anything to have her back. She deserved to have the happiest life with me," he said.

"Kyle, the world knows how pathetic you are and that my Hannah stopped you in your tracks.

"You are a weak and insecure little boy who compulsively lied."

Clifford fled the scene and was arrested by firearms officers in a cemetery near his Enfield home after the police had launched a manhunt.

The killer, who was paralysed after he shot himself with the crossbow, later told police he was "sorry" and "what I have done is atrocious".

On 22 January, he pleaded guilty to the murders, but denied the rape.

He was convicted after a trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

Clifford did not appear at the rape trial and has not appeared at the sentencing.

Mr Justice Bennathan said he asked Clifford to attend court this morning, but the defendant refused.

He added: "If the defendant lacks the courage to face today, so be it."

Amy Hunt said "any strength you see from my dad and I is solely because of my mum, Louise and Hannah [who are pictured]"

Amy Hunt was briefly in tears as she read her victim impact statement.

She described how Clifford's "monstrous, selfish actions" had devastated the family and that he had "decided [his] own fragile ego and pride were more important".

Closing her statement she said she believed it was "sheer chance" she was not murdered by Clifford.

Paying tribute to her family she added: "After what Kyle Clifford did, dad and I often feel like the most unfortunate people in the world - but we know actually we are the luckiest people to know and love my mum, Hannah and Louise.

"Nothing Kyle has done will ever take that away. Such love is too strong to be lost to his actions."

She concluded: "Any strength you see from my dad and I is solely because of my mum, Louise and Hannah."

Mr Hunt thanked his wife "for being such a wonderful partner in life and a wonderful mother".

He described how the family had offered kindness to Clifford, who had spent Christmas at their home, and helped him enjoy trips away with Louise.

However, he added that Carol Hunt had "picked up on your personal inadequacies right from the start".

"She sensed your immaturity. Carol showed you compassion right until she answered the door to you on 9 July," said Mr Hunt.

Mr Hunt had added: "All their lives Carol, Hannah and Louise spent their time bringing joy, colour and happiness to other people's lives."

Talking about the shocking crimes, he said of Louise: "You incapacitated her, raped her and when you realised Hannah was coming home, you shot her in the back.

"I can't imagine a more cowardly act. You couldn't look her in the eye."

Reffering to Louise he said: "You, Kyle, simply failed to be the person she needed; you failed.

"I am so proud of all my girls. Unlike you, Kyle, at every step of their lives they made the correct choices to improve themselves as people.

"Louise enjoyed more success and fulfilment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life."

The sentencing hearing continues.