Kyle Clifford: Wanted in connection with triple murder in Bushey, 3 women murdered in home, 9th July 2024 *arrest*

[Sweeper2000]

Do we know if Louise was the only one he tied up? If so you don't need to tie someone up to shoot them with a cross bow, so it would make it even more obvious he raped her.

he did tie hannah up as well but not sure to what degree as she managed to call her bf. not sure about carol. those poor unfortunate women.

I believe he actually used gaffer tape on louise.

"He has also admitted possession of the knife used to kill Mrs Hunt and the crossbow used to shoot her daughters, as well false imprisonment of Louise - who was tied up with duct tape - but denies rape."

Kyle Clifford: Killer 'raped ex-partner' during triple murder of BBC commentator's family, trial hears

Kyle Clifford, 26, has admitted murdering BBC racing commentator John Hunt's wife Carole Hunt, and his daughters Louise Hunt and Hannah Hunt, but denies the rape of ex-partner Louise.

news.sky.com

This suggests a change of plan by clifford. If his original intent was to tie her up with the rope seen in the videos and then that plan changed to use the gaffer tape it means he planned it in detail. he might have realised he wouldnt be able to tie the knots required or constrain her to the degree that he wanted. gaffer tape is a very secure way of tying someone up probably much more so than rope especially if someone doesn't know knots very well i think. I don't know for sure though i have no experience with such things.

suprised the prosecution didnt highlight it as well. did say tis though.

"But he was furious after being "rebuffed" by Louise and set about orchestrating a "carefully planned and executed" attack on her family, jurors were told."

Kyle Clifford 'tied up and raped' ex before murdering her family, trial hears

Kyle Clifford admitted murdering Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah and their mum Carol

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

 

[Marysmith]

he did tie hannah up as well but not sure to what degree as she managed to call her bf. not sure about carol. those poor unfortunate women.

I cannot imagine the terror they all went through in their final moments...

 

[Cherwell]

I bet the jury won't need long on this one.

 

[Sweeper2000]

I'm wondering if his original plan was to use petrol to eliminate the evidence in an effort to evade punishment. he bought those petrol cans and googled "is alcohol flammable" whilst at the house. would actually support the prosecution in their theory that his suicidal intent was not genuine but they made no mention of it, I doubt that the prosecution would not highlight that as well even if it is kind of obvious.

 

[Marysmith]

I'm wondering if his original plan was to use petrol to eliminate the evidence in an effort to evade punishment. he bought those petrol cans and googled "is alcohol flammable" whilst at the house. would actually support the prosecution in their theory that his suicidal intent was not genuine but they made no mention of it, I doubt that the prosecution would not highlight that as well even if it is kind of obvious.

I agree. Because he knew that Hannah had called someone maybe?

 

[Sweeper2000]

I agree. Because he knew that Hannah had called someone maybe?

He had left by the time she called her BF. Hannah arrived more or less during his process with louise, she headed straight upstairs after going through the door totally unawares of what was happening. She was also the last victim and the person who told her bf who had done it.

It may be the most disturbing aspect of this case, the degree of premeditation. A knife was used for carol who was the first victim and one i assume kyle expected or at \least had an idea would be there and the knife was used to quickly incapacitate her, then the rope and tape used to subdue louise suggesting a sexual element to the plan and a crossbow used to finish louise, the crossbow suggests a degree of discomfort with the intimacy needed to use a knife. so he did indeed meticulously plan this and planned for a range of eventualities. the reason i think he was uncomfortable with the knife was because it was only used on carol and to achieve entry into the house, once he achieved that and had control of the situation he used the crossbow and notice he didn't make sure hannah was dead before leaving. could be for different reasons though, he may not have expected hannah to be there so may have become flustered and just wanted a quick exit.

 

[iamshadow21]

He had left by the time she called her BF. Hannah arrived more or less during his process with louise, she headed straight upstairs after going through the door totally unawares of what was happening. She was also the last victim and the person who told her bf who had done it.

It may be the most disturbing aspect of this case, the degree of premeditation. A knife was used for carol who was the first victim and one i assume kyle expected or at \least had an idea would be there and the knife was used to quickly incapacitate her, then the rope and tape used to subdue louise suggesting a sexual element to the plan and a crossbow used to finish louise, the crossbow suggests a degree of discomfort with the intimacy needed to use a knife. so he did indeed meticulously plan this and planned for a range of eventualities. the reason i think he was uncomfortable with the knife was because it was only used on carol and to achieve entry into the house, once he achieved that and had control of the situation he used the crossbow and notice he didn't make sure hannah was dead before leaving. could be for different reasons though, he may not have expected hannah to be there so may have become flustered and just wanted a quick exit.

The issue with that is, a crossbow isn't a gun. You don't have a magazine full of bolts that you can quickly fire if you're disturbed by a sister showing up that you weren't expecting.

You have to place a bolt in, have the string spanned (tensioned into the drawn position), and then fire. In the time you've done that, your victim has time to turn and run back out the door.

Why would he have a bolt ready to fire if he was leaving? I don't think he would.

I think he overpowered her, maybe using the knife for control, probably bound her like her sister, then used the crossbow at his leisure because he enjoyed using it more than he'd enjoyed using the knife on their mother. I think he only used the knife because you can't walk into the house with a fully assembled and primed crossbow without raising alarm. But you can hide a knife in an innocuous 'break up bag' of belongings.

MOO

 

[Sweeper2000]

The issue with that is, a crossbow isn't a gun. You don't have a magazine full of bolts that you can quickly fire if you're disturbed by a sister showing up that you weren't expecting.

You have to place a bolt in, have the string spanned (tensioned into the drawn position), and then fire. In the time you've done that, your victim has time to turn and run back out the door.

Why would he have a bolt ready to fire if he was leaving? I don't think he would.

I think he overpowered her, maybe using the knife for control, probably bound her like her sister, then used the crossbow at his leisure because he enjoyed using it more than he'd enjoyed using the knife on their mother. I think he only used the knife because you can't walk into the house with a fully assembled and primed crossbow without raising alarm. But you can hide a knife in an innocuous 'break up bag' of belongings.

MOO

Think we are agreed. I would agree with everything maybe except the knife and hannah. His words "calm down, stop stop stop". Followed by the crossbow and we know hsnnah was at least partially tied up.

 

[Tortoise]

14m ago10:35

Trial gets under way​

The jury is now in court as the trial starts for the day.

Kyle Clifford sentencing latest: Crossbow killer who murdered BBC commentator John Hunt's family and raped ex-girlfriend gets whole-life order

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford has been given a whole-life order for murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC commentator John Hunt. For raping his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt during the attack, he was also given a 20-year sentence.

news.sky.com

 

[Tortoise]

40m ago10:11

Defence case to start in trial of crossbow killer accused of rape​

Welcome to our coverage of the trial of Kyle Clifford, who is accused of raping his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt during a triple murder at her family home on 9 July last year.

The 26-year-old has admitted murdering BBC racing commentator John Hunt’s wife Carol Hunt, 61, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

He has also pleaded guilty to false imprisonment of Louise, who was tied and gagged with duct tape, possession of the crossbow he used to kill her and her sister, and possession of the knife used to kill their mother.

Prosecutors allege Clifford also raped Louise Hunt during the attack 13 days after she broke up with him.

His defence barrister Phil Bradley KC has previously said his case is that DNA evidence found on Louise's body was explained by a consensual sexual encounter 16 days before the murders on 23 June.

Friends and family members of the victims, including John Hunt, have been sat in the public gallery throughout the trial, which started on Monday.

The prosecution opened the case on Tuesday and yesterday jurors were shown CCTV footage and heard scientific evidence.

We'll be bringing you updates on this live page from Cambridge Crown Court from around 10.30am, where we're expecting the defence case to start, though the jury has been told Clifford has chosen not to attend his trial.

Kyle Clifford trial latest: Rape trial of crossbow killer continues - as CCTV shows timeline of murders

 

[Tortoise]

2m ago10:51

Friends and family 'concerned' about relationship​

The first evidence is a set of agreed facts to be read out by the prosecution.

This is undisputed evidence in the case given to the jury in writing and read into the record in court.

It begins with the ages of the victims Louise Hunt, 25, Carol Hunt, 61, and Hannah Hunt, 28.

The court hears Carol's husband and Louise and Hannah's father, the BBC racing commentator John Hunt, has one surviving daughter Amy.

Kyle Clifford, 26, lived with his parents and brother at the family home in Enfield, north London.

He was in a relationship with Louise for around 18 months after they met on a dating website.

Friends and family were "concerned" about the relationship, with Louise telling friends Clifford had behaved in an "aggressive manner towards others", the court hears.

He had relationships with two other women he worked with, which he hid from Louise.

Clifford and Louise broke up two weeks before the murders after they returned from a wedding.

Kyle Clifford trial latest: Rape trial of crossbow killer continues - as CCTV shows timeline of murders

 

[Tortoise]

Article from yesterday

Forensic scientist Martin Whittaker told the trial that Clifford's DNA was found in a bodily fluid on Louise Hunt's body. [...]

Mr Whittaker told jurors of "any" chance of the type of fluid found remaining on a body for more than three days was "extremely small".

"Up to 48 hours there is a good chance," he told the trial. "48 hours to 72 hours, there is a chance, but it is a small chance.

"After 72 hours, it is an extremely small chance of even any (fluid)."

Jury shown security footage of moments before Bushey murders

 

[Tortoise]

10:59

Killer used ex-girlfriend's phone to look at athletic males on Instagram​

The agreed facts are continuing and we're hearing about a schedule of messages between Louise Hunt and Kyle Clifford, which jurors have in a schedule.

It is agreed the crossbow he bought online was used to kill Louise and her sister Hannah, and later shoot himself before his arrest.

We're on to events on the day of the murder, 9 July last year, when BBC racing commentator John Hunt went to work by train.

Louise was working at her dog grooming business in the garden of the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, while her sister Louise was working locally as a beautician.

Carol Hunt was at home and was doing washing when her nephew visited at around lunchtime.

The court also hears Clifford is said to have launched Instagram on Louise's phone, looking at athletic male pictures, as well as using Safari and WhatsApp.

This is said to have happened while he held Louise in the house before he killed her.

Hannah Hunt was found in the doorway struggling for life, while her mother and sister were dead when emergency services arrived.

Kyle Clifford trial latest: Rape trial of crossbow killer continues - as CCTV shows timeline of murders

 

[Tortoise]

11:24

Victims found lying on their backs​

The court hears that when police arrived on the scene, blankets were found around the bodies of Carol Hunt and her daughter Louise in the snug room of the family home.

All of the deceased were found lying on their backs, while Louise had her wrists and ankles bound.

A small piece of duct tape was found on a side table in the living room - prosecutors earlier suggested this had been used as a gag.

Jurors are shown graphics of the scene and photographs taken days after the murders.

They are also taken to body graphics detailing the victims' injuries.

Carol Hunt suffered at least four, but more likely five stab wounds, including three to the back.

She also had a defensive injury to her left hand and other injuries consistent with her defending herself, the court hears.

Louise Hunt was hit with a crossbow bolt to the chest from behind.

Her sister Hannah Hunt was also killed with a crossbow bolt to the chest, but she was hit from the front.

Kyle Clifford trial latest: Rape trial of crossbow killer continues - as CCTV shows timeline of murders

 

[Tortoise]

11:34

Triple killer not giving evidence in rape trial​

Kyle Clifford, 26, will not give evidence in his defence at his trial for raping his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25.

He has chosen not to attend his trial at Cambridge Crown Court so the confirmation by his barrister Phil Bradley KC isn't unexpected.

He says he's advised his client that if he chooses not to give evidence the jury may draw whatever inferences they feel is proper.

Mr Bradley says he is not calling any other evidence in Clifford's defence.

Kyle Clifford trial latest: Rape trial of crossbow killer continues - as CCTV shows timeline of murders

 

[Sweeper2000]

11:34

Triple killer not giving evidence in rape trial​

Kyle Clifford, 26, will not give evidence in his defence at his trial for raping his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25.

He has chosen not to attend his trial at Cambridge Crown Court so the confirmation by his barrister Phil Bradley KC isn't unexpected.

He says he's advised his client that if he chooses not to give evidence the jury may draw whatever inferences they feel is proper.

Mr Bradley says he is not calling any other evidence in Clifford's defence.

Kyle Clifford trial latest: Rape trial of crossbow killer continues - as CCTV shows timeline of murders

what a p o s. Does that mean the defence isn't actually contesting it? So now the jury will be out for what little there is to deliberate about?

 

[Tortoise]

what a p o s. Does that mean the defence isn't actually contesting it? So now the jury will be out for what little there is to deliberate about?

No, he's still pleading not guilty.

It could set a record for the fastest deliberations ever. Done and dusted by the end of the day?

 

[Tortoise]

NowNow11:49

Jury told it would be 'utterly wrong' to assume guilt​

The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, is now giving jurors legal directions, telling them the prosecution has to make them "sure" Kyle Clifford raped Louise Hunt.

He says they've now heard all the evidence and that they shouldn't speculate.

The judge says it would be "utterly wrong" for them to assume his guilt just because he has already pleaded guilty to three murder charges.

He tells the jury that, apart from his failure to give evidence, they should forget about him not attending the trial and not hold his absence against him.

Mr Justice Bennathan tells the seven women and five men they must reach a unanimous verdict, adding they are under no time pressure.

11:49

Court break​

The jury has been sent out for a short break, with the trial expected to resume with the prosecution and defence closing speeches from around 12.05pm.

Kyle Clifford trial latest: Rape trial of crossbow killer continues - as CCTV shows timeline of murders

 

[Sweeper2000]

No, he's still pleading not guilty.

It could set a record for the fastest deliberations ever. Done and dusted by the end of the day?

I hope so, I assume Kyle will be instructed of the proceedings and if it comes back quick that will be a blow. I could have sworn we didn't hear a defence though? no challenges to any of the prosecution at all? I know he pled NG but if the defence say nothing thats more or less a no contest imo.

 

[Tortoise]

I hope so, I assume Kyle will be instructed of the proceedings and if it comes back quick that will be a blow. I could have sworn we didn't hear a defence though? no challenges to any of the prosecution at all? I know he pled NG but if the defence say nothing thats more or less a no contest imo.

Pleading not guilty to rape while accepting the presence of his DNA is a defence of consensual sex by default, I imagine. The prosecution must prove by circumstantial evidence (Louise being restrained and kept alive for over an hour), and implausibility scientifically, that he raped her.