Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford has been jailed for the rest of his life for the murders of his ex-partner, her sister and their mother.
The 26-year-old previously pleaded guilty to murdering his former girlfriend Louise Hunt, her mother Carol Hunt and her sister Hannah Hunt, at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9, 2024.
Clifford was later convicted of raping Louise in a “violent, sexual act of spite”.
Mr Justice Bennathan said Clifford had “utter contempt” for women and he was a man “soaked in self pity”.
Prosecutors previously said Clifford became “enraged” when 25-year-old Louise ended their 18-month relationship - leading him to “carefully” plan the murders.
Clifford gained access to the family home by deceiving 61-year-old Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, before stabbing her to death in a “brutal knife attack”.
After killing Mrs Hunt, the defendant then “lay in wait” for an hour for Louise to enter the house, before restraining, raping and ultimately murdering her with a crossbow.
Follow the latest updates below...
Clifford was 'angry' at end of relationship
- Clifford sentenced to three whole life sentences for the murder of Carol, Louise, and Hannah Hunt
- BBC commentator John Hunt tells killer Kyle Clifford he will go to hell for what he did
- Clifford refused to leave his cell for the sentencing hearing
- Prosecutors say the killer could be handed a whole life sentence
- Clifford was a lazy soldier who made misogynistic remarks about women
- Sister brands the killer's actions 'pointless'
Whole life term 'a message to men who commit serious violence against women'
16:14 , Matt WattsThe senior investigating officer in the case of triple murderer Kyle Clifford said that “three innocent women from the same family lost their lives simply because Clifford could not accept rejection or Louise (Hunt)’s right to leave their relationship”.
“There was nothing that Louise, Carol or Hannah (Hunt) could have done to predict the violence that ensued or to prevent it from happening,” said Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, speaking outside Cambridge Crown Court.
“They resisted Clifford’s attack with bravery and Hannah herself raised the alarm despite having suffered an injury that would later take her life.
“Today’s sentence sends a message to men who perpetrate serious acts of violence against women.
“You will be held accountable and you will face the full force of the law.”
Police praise Hunt family for 'dignity and courage'
15:11The judge earlier hailed the “astonishing dignity” shown by the hunt family, and now police have done the same.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said relatives of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt had “suffered unimaginable loss as the result of (Kyle) Clifford’s actions”.
He said: “They have shown dignity and strength of courage throughout the investigation and trial, and although the sentence will provide little or no consolation at least we know that Clifford will never be released from prison.”
He praised the police officers who helped detain Clifford after he went on the run with a crossbow, describing the defendant as “clearly a dangerous man”.
“These officers acted with immense bravery knowing that he was likely armed and had killed three people just hours earlier,” he said.
Detective says Clifford 'coward' for not facing court
15:04 , Matt WattsA detective said that triple killer Kyle Clifford “showed once again that he is a coward” after failing to attend court to hear a judge sentence him to a whole-life order.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said Clifford’s sentence was “fitting for the appalling nature of his crimes”.
Speaking outside Cambridge Crown Court, the officer said: “Clifford showed once again that he is a coward.
“Despite overwhelming forensic evidence, he pleaded not guilty to rape.
“He refused to attend court for his trial or to hear his punishment.
“Aged just 26, Clifford has many years ahead of him to consider the consequences of his crime and the senseless devastation he has brought to others.”
Judge pays tribute to dignity of Hunt family
14:34 , Tristan KirkMr Hunt and his daughter Amy hugged loved ones at Cambridge Crown Court after Kyle Clifford was sentenced to a whole life order.
The judge hailed their dignity through the trial.
“I pay tribute to the astonishing dignity and courage with which Carol, Louise and Hannah’s family conducted themselves throughout these proceedings,” he said.
Judge: John and Amy Hunt show courage that Clifford 'can only dream of'
14:30 , Tristan KirkJudge: “I have heard John Hunt, Amy Hunt and Alex Klein speak of their dreadful loss.
“They were difficult to listen to, given the devastation and heartbreak they recounted.
“They spoke of Carol, Hannah and Louise as bringing joy, colour and happiness into the lives of everyone they knew.
“They were funny, hard-working and caring people.
“Each precious life, so full of potential, of future successes and celebrations, torn away by your appalling violence.
“The statements of John and Amy Hunt also demonstrated great courage and a determination that your terrible crimes will not define them or stop them leading the lives that Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt would have wished for them.
“They show a gentle heroism of which you, Kyle Clifford, can only dream.”
Judge: Kyle Clifford's victims had done nothing wrong
14:26 , Tristan KirkMore from the judge:
“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 you 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.”
He said the “brutal and cowardly” attack had been carefully planned over 11 days, buying weapons and materials for the attack, monitoring John Hunt’s movements, and even checking the weather that day.
When he arrived at the house, he saw John Hunt’s car and then checked again online to see if he was due to be at work.
Clifford took a thank you card to John and Carol and had a bag of Louise’s possessions to trick his way into the home.
CPS: Clifford's crimes were 'inhumane'
14:19 , Tristan KirkThe Crown Prosecution Service has issued a statement after the sentencing of Kyle Clifford.
Lisa Kiff explained why the decision was taken to pursue a rape trial after he pleaded guilty to the murders:
“Kyle Clifford is a murderer and rapist, who at every turn has attempted to escape the gravity of his actions.
“From seeking to evade arrest, to not attending his trial or the sentencing hearing today - his lack of remorse and accountability for the truly inhumane crimes he committed has been laid bare.
“While Clifford pleaded guilty to the murders of Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt, the Crown Prosecution Service took the decision to proceed with the rape charge. This was to ensure full justice was secured for Louise, and to ensure that Clifford could be sentenced for the full extent of his offending.
“That decision has been vindicated by his conviction for the rape and by the sentence passed today as Clifford will never be released from prison.
“On behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, I want to express my heartfelt sympathies and admiration to the Hunt family. They had the strength and courage to attend court every day and hear first-hand the devastating truth of what happened to Carol, Louise and Hannah – something which, in stark contrast, Clifford was too cowardly to do.
“We hope today’s sentence, which ensures Clifford can never hurt anyone again, can help the Hunt family with their healing process as they navigate the future and continue to honour the lives of Carol, Louise and Hannah.”
The judge announced the sentences at the start of his remarks to avoid any extra anguish for the Hunt family and friends.
Clifford sentence to a whole life order for each murder
14:05 , Tristan KirkMr Justice Bennathan tells Clifford at the start of his sentencing remarks that he will be sentenced to three whole life prison terms.
“The evidence shows you to be a jealous man, soaked in self pity.
“A man who held women in utter contempt.
“I make it clear at once that for each of these three murders, the sentence will be one of life imprisonment with a whole life order.”
John Hunt's full victim impact statement
13:27 , Tristan KirkEarlier today, John Hunt delivered a powerful victim impact statement to the court.
You can read it in full here
Amy Hunt told killer Kyle Clifford he is 'not human'
13:22 , Tristan KirkAmy Hunt displayed remarkable composure and courage as she delivered her impact statement, forcefully saying that Clifford’s actions were not only devastating but also pointless.
“It is difficult to think of a more devastating reality than the one you have created, Kyle – though I imagine that these facts mean nothing to you.
“You violently took my mother and sisters from me, and you violently killed almost all of my mum and dad’s children.
“As a son to a mother, a brother to a sister… I will never understand how you felt and feel nothing about the hideous act – but I suppose that is what separates you from us.
“Kyle, plainly the Hunt family are human and you are not.”
Judge rises to consider his sentence
12:35 , Tristan KirkSubmissions from the barristers have concluded.
Mr Justice Bennathan says he aim to pass sentence at 2pm, or shortly afterwards.
His remarks are due to be recorded on camera and televised.
Clifford's barrister argues against a whole life prison term
12:32 , Tristan KirkClifford’s barrister, Phil Bradley KC, started his mitigation by acknowledging: “The offending in this case was quite simply appalling, the effects and devastation caused is clear for all to see.”
The main part of his mitigation is to argue that the judge should “step back” from a whole life order, and instead impose a life sentence with a high minimum term.
He said it is a “borderline” case when considering a whole life order.
Mr Bradley says whole life terms have been imposed on murderers who went on a killing spree.
“This was utterly appalling conduct, but it was concentrated, one incident, and there was no spree that followed.”
Prosecution: Clifford could be given whole life sentence
12:28 , Tristan KirkProsecutor Alison Morgan KC tells the court the seriousness of the crimes are “exceptionally high” and the judge can pass a whole life order.
She points out the “extreme nature of the violence planned and used, including sexual violence, the prolonged detention and rape of Louise Hunt, and the additional suffering for Louise and Hannah Hunt of being aware of the murder of others before their own deaths.”
In her written note, Ms Morgan says Clifford can rely on in mitigation his previous good character, his “relatively young age”, and his guilty pleas to the murders.
But she argues that the mitigation from his pleas was undermined by Clifford’s decision to contest the rape charge.
“In light of the defendant’s approach towards the allegation of rape, in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, the key reasons for giving any credit have been undermined: the family of the deceased have been put through a trial process; expert witnesses have had to testify; time and money has been spent on a trial.”
The court has taken a short break after the victim impact statements.
The prosecution is expected to make submissions on the law before Clifford’s mitigation and submissions.
Mr Justice Bennathan has said he does not expect to pass sentence before 2pm.
Amy Hunt: Clifford is a 'monster'
12:13 , Tristan KirkAmy Hunt, the eldest sister, branded Clifford a “monster” as she took to the witness statement to deliver an emotional impact statement.
What he did “to my baby sister is nothing short of demonic”, she told the court.
“I will never ever comprehend why you would do such a monstrous thing to us, when all the way to the end we never showed you anything but kindness.
“You planned to take the lives of three women who have never done anything to hurt you. For what? Because you have been dumped. It is impossible for anyone to fathom how pointless your actions were.”
She broke down and wept part way through her victim impact statement at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday.
“That day, and every day leading up to it, Kyle, you had a choice and you chose to inflict violence on a horrific scale, all for your own selfish and sadistic aims.
“All the time, truly thinking of yourself alone, I can only assume that in the days after Louise broke up with you in the kindest most respectful way… you created some kind of false narrative in your head about how we had supposedly wronged you in order to allow you to avoid confronting the pain and shame within you and the truth – that the break-up was entirely your fault.
“That day, my mum, Hannah and Louise were all simply living their lives, getting on with their day in the home working or returning to their home after work.
“Their home is a place that was and should have continued to be safe for them and you made it the most unsafe place in the world for those few hours – you are a monster.”
Hannah Hunt's partner pays tribute to 'angel'
12:09 , Tristan KirkHannah Hunt’s partner, Alex Klein, described her as an “angel” in his victim impact statement.
He recalled rushing to the house that day in the hope that he could save his partner, only to find she had been murdered.
“Kyle, the world knows how pathetic you are, and that my Hannah stopped you in your tracks.
“I have no sympathy for what may happen to you and your family in the future.
“You are nothing to me, and I have nothing but disgust for you.
“You are a weak and insecure little boy who compulsively lied… always looking for the easy way out rather than facing the truth.
“You are a coward. You simply were not good enough for an angel like Louise.
“Your soul will suffer for eternity.”
John Hunt says his daughter saved him from becoming Clifford's fourth victim
12:07 , Tristan KirkJohn Hunt told the court he is determined to make the most of the rest of his life surrounded by friends and family.
“What about me? The impact of what you have done will be taken to my grave.
“But on the way there, I want you to know that I stand strong before you today as you, Kyle, are consigned to a fate far greater than death.
“I can draw on the love and strength that I still (have) from my girls in every moment of every day.”
He added: “Whilst I am so badly damaged, I am absolutely determined to see what my future is surrounded by so many amazing people, and the chance to do that, I firmly believe, has been gifted to me by my incredible Hansie (Hannah Hunt).
“I really believe that had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength in raising the alarm after you, Kyle, fatally injured her, that I would have been your fourth victim that day.
“Hannah handed me a second chance, one that she worked so hard to achieve for me.”
'I can't imagine a more cowardly act'
12:03 , Tristan KirkMore extracts from John Hunt’s victim impact statement:
“I also want to confirm to the world the truth, especially how Louise conducted herself within a textbook mature break-up on her part, understanding the conflict of saying goodbye to someone she once loved, but not allowing those memories to cloud her certain knowledge that 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, she enjoyed more success and fulfilment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life.”
He said Clifford had been found by the Army to be “worthless”, and he said his daughter was “disgusted” by Clifford’s attitudes to women and racism.
Speaking about Clifford shooting Louise in the back, he said: “I can’t imagine a more cowardly act, you couldn’t look her in the eye.”
'Levels of misogyny off the scale'
11:59 , Tristan KirkMr Hunt said he wanted to deliver his victim impact “eye to eye” with Clifford, and addressed the killer directly despite him being absent from the dock.
He said Clifford’s “levels of misogyny are off the scale”, and said of his daughter: “Louise enjoyed more success and fulfillment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life.”
He said his family had shown Clifford only love and inclusion, inviting him to pub lunches, special occasions, Christmas celebrations, and he believes the killer put on a “veneer” of respectability.
“What was it about that beautiful existence that you hated so much, Kyle?”, he asked.
“Could you not handle how pleasant it all was, such a contrast to what you were used to?”
He said his wife offered only kindness, she displayed compassion right up to the point when she was murdered.
“Do you remember her kindness? How she urged you to get relationship help and guidance for fear you would never be able to sustain a lasting relationship.
“You calmly accepted the advice on the doorstep and then literally seconds later savagely stabbed her eight times and ended her life.”
'You killed three beautiful mockingbirds, Kyle'
11:53 , Tristan KirkMr Hunt battled to control his emotions as he delivered the lengthy impact statement, paying tribute to his wife and daughters while condemning Clifford.
He quoted from daughter Louise’s favourite novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, in which Atticus Finch advised “it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird”.
“All their lives, Carol, Hannah, and Louise, similarly spent time bringing colour, joy, and love to other people’s lives.
“You killed three beautiful mockingbirds, Kyle.”
Mr Hunt described Clifford as a “psychopath”, calling the murders “callous, cowardly and vindictive”.
John Hunt: Hell will roll out the red carpet for 'coward' Clifford
11:40 , Tristan KirkJohn Hunt has delivered a heroic and incredibly powerful impact statement to the court, aiming most of his words at Clifford himself.
“Whatever sentence you are about to receive, whatever misery lies ahead for you in the next 60 years, once your days on earth are done, on your dying day, there will be no release for you.
“The screams of hell, Kyle. I can hear them faintly now.
“They are going to roll out the red carpet for you.
“At that point, when the person you could have been meets the person you are, you will realise your miserable fate will last for eternity.”
John Hunt could also have been an intended victim, prosecution suggests
11:28 , Tristan KirkMs Morgan details how Hannah Hunt was able to raise the alarm before she was shot and killed.
She put forward to the court that John Hunt, who was at work at the racing, was due to return home later that day.
“Had Hannah not raised the alarm, the defendant may have killed Hannah and waited at the address for John to return.”
The judge said he cannot be sure of Clifford’s motives towards Mr Hunt, and he may have feared that he would put up more resistance.
Clifford executed a 'careful and coherent' rape and murder plot
11:18 , Tristan KirkCarol Hunt was stabbed repeatedly by Clifford when he had gained access to the home, the court heard.
Ms Morgan, the prosecutor, is outlining the “brutality” of the attack.
She said Clifford used a knife hidden in a backpack to attack Mrs Hunt, knowing that carrying a crossbow for the first stage of the attack would have immediately caused alarm.
After the first murder, he went back to his car to retrieve the crossbow.
Clifford then lay in wait for Louise Hunt for around an hour, until she came into the home from the pod in the garden where she usually worked.
“He didn’t choose to run straight through the house to attack Louise Hunt at that point”, she said.
“Every part of what he was doing was part of a careful and coherent plan. He intended to wait and then to be able to restrain and rape Louise Hunt before her death.”
Ms Morgan said Clifford would not have known when Hannah Hunt was due to return home, but he must have been prepared to kill her as part of his plan.
She was shot with a crossbow after returning home from work as a beautician, when she arrived to change out of her uniform to head to a social engagement.
'This was a planned attack on the Hunt family'
11:09 , Tristan KirkMs Morgan is detailing to the court the extensive planning that Clifford carried out before the attacks.
She has highlighted how he bought items in advance, including duct tape used to tie up Louise Hunt, knives, and petrol cans.
The prosecutor suggested the court could draw an inference that Clifford, by having petrol and placing blankets around some of the victims’ bodies, had contemplated setting fire to the home to destroy evidence.
Clifford accessed Carol Hunt’s Facebook page before the attacks, as well as John Hunt’s Twitter page.
“This is a planned attack on the Hunt family generally, whoever is present at the address”, said Ms Morgan, “in the sure knowledge Carol Hunt would be there.”
The court heard a ‘thank you’ card had been created and Clifford had a bag of Louise’s possessions, in a suspected “ruse” to get into the property after a short conversation on the doorstep.
The judge said he accepts Clifford knew Carol would be home and therefore would be a victim of the attack alongside her daughter Louise. The killer had also carried out research to check that John hunt would be at work instead of at home.
Clifford watched videos of Andrew Tate, the 'poster boy for misogyny'
11:00 , Tristan KirkOne of Louise Hunt’s friends saw Clifford watching a video of Andrew Tate involving animals who had been drugged.
Questioned on the video, Clifford said he found it “funny”.
Ms Morgan told the court: “Andrew Tate is the poster boy for misogyny, the poster boy for those who view women as possessions to be controlled.”
It has already been revealed that Clifford searched for Andrew Tate content in the 24 hours before he carried out the rape and killings, and the link is “relevant” for the sentencing.
The court has also heard of conversations Clifford had with his jailed brother, in which he talked about buying a crossbow, but not his intentions for using it.
Clifford called murderer brother a 'geezer'
10:56 , Tristan KirkClifford worked at Reynolds Catering Services after leaving the Army, and was noted for “poor behaviour towards other employees and inappropriately sexualised comments”.
The court heard he talked about sex at work, made comments about women including “I can ride on that”, and discussed sex with another woman while in a relationship with Louise Hunt.
He was also described by a witnesses as making “lustful” comments about women he saw at the gym.
Ms Morgan also said Clifford described his brother, Bradley, as a “geezer”.
Bradley Clifford is currently serving a life sentence for murder after deliberately running a man over in a road rage attack.
Clifford was a lazy soldier who could not follow orders
10:51 , Tristan KirkKyle Clifford was a bad soldier who had little prospect of a successful Army career when he was enrolled between 2020 and 2022, the court heard.
His commanding officer assessed that Clifford was lacking in motivation, unable to follow orders, and he had multiple periods off sick.
“He was wholly unsuited to military employment”, said Ms Morgan of the senior officer’s assessment, adding that Clifford had “no care or concern beyond himself”.
The officer said Clifford swallowed up “inordinate” amounts of resources in a bid to get him into shape, but he was “poorly trained, lacking in motivation and unwilling to commit to soldiering”.
The court also heard how Clifford had faced disciplinary proceedings after a drink fuelled altercation in 2021.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC has begun to open the facts of the murders.
“Kyle Clifford committed acts of extreme violence against Louise Hunt and members of her family at the family home address”, she said.
“Those events came to be because of the end of their relationship.”
She said Ms Hunt’s friends and family supported the end of the relationship, and Clifford was “angry” and tried to rekindle the romance.
“He correctly assumed friends and family members had advised Louise to end the relationship”, said Ms Morgan.
“He set about planning a catastrophic attack on the Hunt family.”
Kyle Clifford has refused to come to court for his sentencing
10:36 , Tristan KirkMr Justice Bennathan enters and tells the court Clifford has refused to leave his cell at HMP Belmarsh for the sentencing hearing.
The prison asked if he should be put in restraints and brought to a videolink room, but the judge said no.
“The idea of a man in a wheelchair being put in restraints and potentially disrupting proceedings in the videolink room is simply not appropriate”, said the judge.
He points out some of the court hearing will involve tributes to the victims, and he is not prepared for Clifford to have the chance to disrupt that.
“If he lacks the courage to face today, so be it.”
Timeline of the offences
10:32 , Tristan KirkJune 26 2024: Louise Hunt ends her relationship with Clifford, telling him in a message: “I feel like it’s been broken and I can’t ignore how I’ve been feeling or made to feel in our relationship over the course of the year.”
June 30: Clifford makes internet searches in relation to crossbows and visits websites where they could be purchased.
July 1: Clifford accesses the Facebook page of Carol Hunt. He also has a conversation with his brother about buying a crossbow and conducts searches for air rifles.
July 3: Clifford purchases a Hori-Zone Kornet MXT-405 compound crossbow, a pack of six crossbow bolts and a rope-cocking device through Tactical Archery.
He also buys a £219 CO2 Glock air pistol from The Air Gun Centre in Essex. It was not delivered before the murders and was recalled by the company when it heard about the attacks.
July 4: Clifford buys two petrol cans from Halfords and two rolls of duct tape from B&Q.
The same day, Louise Hunt makes a note on her phone titled “When you’re sad, look”, which set out how Clifford was “racist”, had “commented he did not like transgender people” and had used “belittling language”.
July 9:
1.07pm: Clifford leaves his home address armed with a knife and a crossbow.
1.48pm: Clifford searches “horse racing today” on the internet to see if Louise Hunt’s father, BBC commentator John Hunt, was working that day.
2.32pm: Clifford knocks on the door of the Hunt family home with a black rucksack containing a knife and tells Carol Hunt he wants to return items of property.
2.39pm-2.45pm: Carol Hunt is murdered by Clifford in a “brutal” knife attack, with screams and banging sounds heard coming from the property.
3.10pm: Clifford returns to his car to retrieve the crossbow hidden under a white cloth or blanket.
4.13pm: A faint scream is heard shortly after Louise Hunt enters the family home.
4.13pm-6.50pm: Louise Hunt is restrained with duct tape around her ankles and her wrists and is eventually raped by Clifford.
5.37pm-5.43pm: Clifford checks Louise Hunt’s mobile phone to see who she had been in contact with and what she had been looking at on Instagram.
5.44pm: Clifford tells his sister he was shooting his crossbow at a friend’s house and that it was not “illegal” after she asked why he had taken it out.
5.52pm: Clifford messages John Hunt from Louise Hunt’s phone, asking: “What time are you home?”
5.57pm: Clifford searches “if I unplug my smoke detector will it go off”, with the prosecution saying he had contemplated the use of fire to destroy evidence.
6.50pm: Louise Hunt is murdered with a crossbow shortly before Hannah Hunt arrives at the property.
6.51pm: Hannah Hunt realises Clifford is at the address and shouts “What is wrong with you?”, with high-pitched squealing and screaming heard coming from the property.
6.52pm: Hannah Hunt messages her partner: “Call police leggy. Immediately. To mine. Now. Kyle here. POLCOE (sic) NOW. HE’S TYING US UP.”
6.54pm: Hannah Hunt is shot with a crossbow.
6.55pm: Clifford walks away from the property with the crossbow hidden under the sheet and the black rucksack.
6.57pm: Female heard in the property screaming “Oh my God, no” as Hannah Hunt realises her sister and mother have been attacked.
6.58pm: Hannah Hunt uses Carol Hunt’s phone to dial 999 and identifies Clifford as the attacker to the call handler.
7.10pm: Emergency services attend the Hunt family home – Carol and Louise Hunt are found dead and unsuccessful resuscitation attempts are made on Hannah Hunt.
July 10: 4.49am-5.18am: Clifford is seen in a cemetery in the Lavender Gardens area of Enfield, north London.
4.20pm: Firearms officers locate Clifford in a wooded area with a loaded crossbow before he shoots himself in the chest with the weapon.
4.51pm: Clifford is formally arrested after receiving medical assistance.
September 16: Clifford is finally fit to be interviewed by police where he says “sorry” and “what I have done is atrocious”.
Clifford stayed in his cell for his trial
10:27 , Tristan KirkLawyers, court officials, and journalists have gathered in court ahead of the sentencing, which is expected to start at 10.30am.
Mr Hunt and his surviving daughter Amy have entered the courtroom ahead of the hearing beginning.
Clifford stayed in his cell at HMP Belmarsh for his rape trial, dodging an appearance in the dock.
This was despite efforts by the judge to accommodate the killer, including switching the hearing to an accessible court for his wheelchair needs and allowing him to attend via video link to give evidence.
Clifford's crimes 'influenced by misogyny of Andrew Tate'
10:23 , Tristan KirkControversial social media influencer Andrew Tate was tied to Clifford’s crimes after it emerged the killer searched for Tate’s podcast less than 24 hours before the attacks.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said of Clifford’s actions: “It’s misogynistic, trying to control Louise Hunt in the context of a final act of spite. You can see how the mind was working.”
Former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Ken Macdonald, said “a lot of what (Tate) says online is illegal” and called improved laws to protect women and girls.
“The point about someone like Andrew Tate is it seems to me that a lot of what he says online is illegal, is criminal in any event”, he said.
“Encouraging violence against women and girls, encouraging sexual assault, encouraging physical abuse, is a criminal offence, and I think this is a problem of enforcement as much as creating new laws, we may need some new laws, but let’s enforce the ones we’ve got.
“If he’s encouraging this sort of behaviour, he’s breaking UK criminal law, and he ought to be held accountable for it, and I’m afraid at the moment, he hasn’t been held accountable for it.”
Judge expected to sentence Clifford later today
10:13 , Tristan KirkKyle Clifford is expected to be sentenced by Mr Justice Bennathan this afternoon, after the full details of his crimes have been outlined to the court as well as the devastating impact they had.
Clifford will be sentenced to a life term of imprisonment, as that is the mandatory punishment for murder.
the question for the judge is how long he should serve before being eligible for release, or if release should even be a possibility.
For the gravest crimes, including multiple murders and killings carried out where there was a sexual or sadist motivation, a judge can imposed a whole life order.
John and Amy Hunt have arrived at Cambridge crown court, and the sentencing in Court 1 is expected to hear details of the impact on their lives.
Clifford’s barrister Phil Bradley KC will also get a chance to address the court on mitigating factor before the sentence is passed.
