We can bring you a little more detail from Mr Justice Bennathan's sentencing remarks now.

Addressing the absent Kyle Clifford, he described the killer as a "jealous man soaked in self pity, who holds women in utter contempt".

Earlier on, the court heard how Clifford had viewed online content from self-confessed misogynist Andrew Tate the night before carrying out the murders.

John Hunt described the murderer's levels of misogyny "off the scale" during his impact statement.

Before the judge passed sentence, the court heard powerful victim impact statements read out by John Hunt and his surviving daughter Amy. You can read more about them below.

• Family say crossbow killer 'belongs in hell'

Judges usually pass sentence at the end of their remarks, but Mr Justice Bennathan took the unusual step of opening his speech with the sentence.

"This is no occasion to subject family and friends of your victims to any delay or suspense," he said.

"I therefore make clear at once that for each of these three murders, the sentence will be one of life imprisonment with a whole-life order.

"That means a sentence from which you will never be released."

As Mr Justice Bennathan passed his sentencing remarks, he addressed Kyle Clifford directly, despite the fact that the killer was not in court to hear the verdict.

The judge observed that Belmarsh Prison had asked him whether Clifford should be brought into the video room there to watch on a video link.

But, he says, he declined “on the basis that the idea of a man in a wheelchair being put in restraints and potentially disrupting these proceedings is simply not appropriate or suitable”.

If Clifford “lacks the courage” to face the courtroom, the judge added, then so be it - before adding that he did not want the opportunity to pay tribute to the three women disrupted.

As a reminder, there is no currently no rule that a defendant must attend sentencing proceedings.

Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

John Hunt, his daughter Amy and Hannah Hunt’s boyfriend Alex Klein listened intently as the judge sentenced an absent Kyle Clifford.

After listening to so much "unspeakable" evidence, the judge paid tribute to the Hunt family. He spoke about how the family were determined Clifford's "appalling violence" wouldn’t define them. He told them they had shown a "gentle heroism" of which Kyle Clifford could only dream.

They will have to live with the loss of Louise, Hannah and Carol Hunt, but Amy and John spoke of their determination to take strength from them.

The family has indeed shown "gentle heroism". To deal with the brutal murders and then to have to sit and listen to the graphic evidence about them and the rape, and then to deliver statements about the impact on them means the judge's words were fitting.

This was an attack that shocked many across the country. Many will agree with the judge's last words.

As the session ended, John and Amy Hunt quietly hugged each other.

Brian Farmer
Reporting from Cambridge Crown Court

John and Amy Hunt hugged each other after the judge finished passing his sentence.

They each also took a moment to hug Hannah's boyfriend, Alex Klein, before all filing out of Court 1.

Mr Justice Bennathan says he is left with "no doubt" that he must impose a whole-life order on Kyle Clifford.

He thanks the police and the Hunt family for their support during the criminal investigation.

"Finally, I pay tribute to the astonishing dignity and courage of which Carol, Louise and Hannah's friends have conducted themselves throughout these proceedings," he concludes.

With that, the judge rises and exits the courtroom.

The judge is continuing to pass his sentencing remarks.

"You both planned and contemplated killing all three of your victims," he said.

"You knew the routine and habits of that household; you clearly anticipated that Carol Hunt would be in the house, as you went equipped to trick your way inside.

"You must have known Louise was working in the garden.

"You were there for over four hours and must've anticipated that Hannah Hunt would return.

"You would have known that she wore a uniform to work which she would have come home to change before going out that evening.

"You intended to murder her if the chance presented itself."

Brian Farmer
Reporting from Cambridge Crown Court

There was no obvious reaction from John and Amy Hunt when the judge passed the whole-life order just now.

The judge said listening to the statements of John, Amy and Alex Klein were "difficult to listen to".

More from the judge, who is making his sentencing remarks.

Addressing Clifford, who is not in court, he says: "You first killed her mother, Carol, who even on that day showed you nothing but kindness in the moments before you attacked her.

"You raped and killed Louise, who had been as gentle as she could in ending her relationship with you after your arrogance and anger proved too much for her to stand.

"Then you murdered Hannah Hunt, who had done nothing to harm you save supporting her little sister."

Mr Justice Bennathan describes Clifford as a man "soaked in self-pity" and who held women "in utter contempt".

Of his victims, the judge adds: "They showed a gentle heroism of which you, Kyle Clifford, could only dream."

Mr Justice Bennathan has just said Clifford will never be released from prison for his callous offending.

The judge told those in court he wanted to remove any suspense for the Hunt family, before beginning his remarks.

The judge says he will be imposing a whole-life order on Kyle Clifford.

People are now being allowed back into Court 1 here at Cambridge Crown Court, as the judge takes his seat.

That is Mr Justice Bennathan, who will begin passing sentence any moment now.

Just a reminder that we will be broadcasting the judge's sentencing remarks live from court at about 14:00.

You can view this by scrolling to the top of this page.

We are also bringing audio coverage on BBC Sounds, which can be followed by clicking here.

Judges do have an existing power to compel criminals into court when they are sentenced - but it is rarely used because of safety concerns.

But that could soon change under the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill, which will be laid in Parliament in the coming months.

Its purpose is to make sure victims and bereaved family members can see criminals face the consequences of their actions.

In response to Clifford's refusal to attend court, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "Cowardly killers like this individual, who refuse to look grieving families in the eye as judges hand down their sentences, deny victims and their families the opportunity to tell them the horrific ways that they've destroyed lives.

"That's why the government is committed to changing the law so that courts have the power to order the most serious offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, with reasonable force being used when necessary.

"Criminals who refuse will face being locked up for longer, ensuring that they face up to justice rather than hiding away from the grief and anger of their victims' families."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to carry on the pledge to change the law, first made by his predecessor Rishi Sunak, when he met the mother of murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

John Hunt's victim impact statement, in which he spoke of his love for his wife and daughters and contempt for Clifford, was the first time he has spoken publicly since the attacks.

But the trial last week did hear he received a text from Louise's phone about three hours and 20 minutes after Clifford arrived at the house.

It is believed the message, which asked when the BBC racing commentator was coming home, was sent by Clifford.

Mr Hunt responded: "Late, I'm afraid. Everything OK sweetness?"

Speaking this morning, Alison Morgan KC said Clifford planned a "catastrophic attack" on the Hunt family after Louise Hunt broke up with him.

He had been angered by the family supporting Louise in ending their 18-month relationship, and began setting his attack in motion:

• 26 June - Louise Hunt ends an 18-month relationship with Kyle Clifford because she had become unhappy
• 28 June - Clifford buys a 30m (98ft) length of rope from Toolstation in Enfield
• 3 July - Clifford buys a crossbow online for £299.95, a cocking device for £22.95 and a pack of six bolts for £28.95. He also buys an air pistol, but this is not delivered
• 4 July - He buys two petrol cans from Halfords in Enfield, which are later found by police in the boot of his car
• 5 July - Clifford visits the gym, which is captured on CCTV
• 6 July - Clifford has purchased a 10in (25cm) butcher's knife online for £89 and receives a delivery update

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

Six days before the murders on 9 July 2024, Clifford legally purchased a crossbow, six bolts and a cocking device for £350 online.

He also bought a specialist butcher’s knife, rope, petrol cans and duct tape, as well as ordering an air pistol which never arrived.

Clifford spent the morning of the attack at a garden centre with his family, before driving for 30 minutes to the Hunt family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

He arrived at 13:37 BST and would go on to carry out the triple murders across the next few hours.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told jurors the attacks were "carefully planned and executed".

Much of the evidence during the trial surrounded a security system installed at the Hunt family home.

Jurors saw Louise Hunt nipping in and out of a pod in the garden, from which she ran a dog grooming business.

Two customers arrived at the property and used a side gate during the afternoon, but neither they nor Louise knew Clifford was in the house.

Image source, PA Media

Louise was seen walking across the lawn and back into the house, entering through a rear patio door, shortly after 16:00 BST.

Hannah, a beautician, was seen returning from work and walking in through the front door shortly before 19:00.

The jury heard her making a sarcastic remark about her mother’s ability to use a mobile phone, then utter an expletive and the word "Kyle".

For any readers just joining us, here is a recap:

• Kyle Clifford, 26, used a crossbow to murder his ex-girlfriend, Louise Hunt, and her sister, Hannah, having already stabbed their mum, Carol, to death, the court hears
• Clifford arrived at the Hunt family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on the afternoon of 9 July 2024 to carry out the " catastrophic attacks", which also included raping Louise
• Judge Mr Justice Bennathan says Clifford "lacks courage" by refusing to attend his sentencing
• Clifford made "inappropriately sexualised" comments to people at his catering job, and had also been deemed "wholly unsuited" to military employment in a previous Army role
• He viewed content from self-described misogynist and social media personality Andrew Tate the night before the murders, as well as consulting his brother Bradley - a convicted murderer
• BBC racing commentator John Hunt, who was the husband and father of the victims, says Clifford is "callous, cowardly and vindicitive", adding Hell will "roll out the red carpet" for him
• Police officers in court weep as Mr Hunt's surviving daughter, Amy, says Clifford is a "monster" who carried out "demonic" acts

The judge will begin sentencing at 14:00.