The Enfield man killed three women in their Hertfordshire home last July before being caught by police at Lavender Hill Cemetery nearly 24 hours later

Kyle Clifford (inset left) was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court (credit Ben Harris) over the killing of Louise Hunt (inset top right), Carol Hunt (inset centre right) and Hannah Hunt (inset bottom right)

Triple murderer and rapist Kyle Clifford has been given three whole life orders – and “will never be released” from prison.

This was the outcome of Clifford’s sentencing hearing at Cambridge Crown Court today (Tuesday 11th), where the full scale of his “harrowing” crimes and the “senseless devastation” caused to the Hunt family was laid out.

Clifford, aged 26 and a former pupil of Chace Community School, murdered ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, aged 25, at her family home in Bushey on 9th July 2024, alongside mum Carol, 61, and sister Hannah, 28. He also raped Louise.

The murders of Louise and Hannah were carried out with a crossbow Clifford had bought legally. Carol was stabbed to death soon after opening the front door to speak to Clifford when he arrived at the house.

Hannah, in her last moments after being shot with the crossbow, raised the alarm by calling police.

Clifford then went on the run and headed back to Enfield, where he lived in Rendelsham Road, sparking a huge manhunt on 10th July.

Nearly 24 hours after the killings, Clifford was found “cowering in undergrowth” at Lavender Hill Cemetery. He then attempted suicide with his crossbow, but survived. He is now paralysed from the chest down.

BBC racing commentator John Hunt, the father of Louise and Hannah, and husband of Carol, spoke in court today before Clifford’s sentence was passed. He described Clifford as “callous, cowardly and vindictive” and said the “red carpet” would be “rolled out” for him, in hell.

The court also heard from Amy Hunt, John’s last surviving daughter. Amy said Louise, Hannah and Carol “represent everything good” about life, while of Clifford she said: “It is clear to everyone now that you hate women. It is even more clear you can’t stand being confronted by a strong woman like Louise.”

She continued: “You must have never been able to experience the emotion of love. Because of that, it is you that truly lost, Kyle, because love is the only thing that matters.”

Clifford refused to appear in court to hear these statements, however. He had also failed to appear for the trial last week, where he was found guilty of raping Louise before killing her. Clifford had earlier admitted his guilt over the three murders.

The court heard that Louise had broken off an 18-month relationship with Clifford on 26th June. He then began a calculated plan to kill Louise and her family. In the hours before the murders Clifford watched videos made by notorious online misogynist Andrew Tate.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police, said: “This has been a harrowing case and while we welcome the whole life orders, it will never make up for the loss of Louise, Hannah and Carol – three vibrant women in the prime of their lives. The Hunt family have shown immense dignity and composure throughout this horrendous time and my thoughts remain with them.”

He added: “Clifford has again shown himself to be a coward. Clifford armed himself with a crossbow and knife in order to attack three innocent women. They resisted him bravely, with Hannah raising the alarm, which ultimately helped police catch Clifford.

“Then despite overwhelming evidence, Clifford denied raping Louise which meant the Hunt family had to sit through days of distressing evidence. This is while Clifford himself failed to attend court or hear his punishment despite provisions being made for him. Clifford has many years ahead of him to consider the consequences of his crimes and the senseless devastation he has brought to others.”

Lisa Kiff, a senior prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Kyle Clifford is a murderer and rapist, who at every turn has attempted to escape the gravity of his actions.

“From evading 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.”

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