John Hunt pays tribute to wife and daughters as killer Kyle Clifford given whole-life sentence for triple murder

John Hunt delivered a powerful and emotional statement on the impact of the murders of his wife, Carol, and daughters Hannah and Louise by Kyle Clifford, who will never be released from prison after receiving a whole-life sentence on Tuesday for his crimes.

Hunt, the BBC racing commentator, told Clifford, the former boyfriend of Louise Hunt, that he was “callous, cowardly and vindictive” and that hell would “roll out the red carpet” for what he did.

Following the sentencing, ITV Racing's Richard Hoiles paid tribute to his friend and fellow commentator prior to the running of the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

He said: "I'll just take a moment or two for the many friends and colleagues of John Hunt to pay tribute to himself and Amy today. They have been giving their victim impact statements as part of the sentencing today and have done so with tremendous dignity and courage to pay tribute to Carol, Hannah and Louise. 

"One can't even bring themselves to think about what that must've involved and we hope that justice, as far as it can be, has been served. We're all missing John's presence her today very much and our thoughts are with him." 

Clifford, 26, was found guilty in Cambridge Crown Court last week of raping Louise at the Hunts' family home on July 9 last year. Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of Carol, Hannah and Louise and the possession of offensive weapons, namely a crossbow and a butcher’s knife.

Clifford, who is being held in HMP Belmarsh in London, refused to attend his sentencing hearing and was not permitted by the judge to be present via a video link.

However, addressing Clifford directly from the witness box, Hunt condemned the actions of the murderer; his vile and misogynistic behaviour; and labelled him a “psychopath” who had sought to destroy the commentator’s family and would have murdered him too had it not been for Hannah Hunt raising the alarm and calling 999.

Hunt, who with tears in his eyes spoke in a strong, clear voice that only occasionally faltered, also praised his wife and daughters, saying how he was “proud of all my girls” and was determined to honour their memory by continuing to live his life along with his third daughter, Amy.

He said: “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.

“We all offered you kindness, especially Carol. Make no mistake, she 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 July 9.

“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 I stand strong before you today. As you, Kyle, are confined to a fate worse than death.

“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. You will realise your miserable fate will last for eternity.”

Amy Hunt, who was not present during the attack on her mother and sisters, also delivered a victim impact statement on Tuesday, calling Clifford “a monster” and “demonic” for his behaviour towards Louise, who was bound for over two and a half hours before being killed.

She said: “My mum, Louise and Hannah represented and represent still everything good in this world, and were genuinely adored by everyone who had the luck of meeting and knowing them.

“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.

“We will always be a family of five.”

Sentencing Clifford to a whole-life term, judge Mr Justice Bennathan described him as a "jealous man soaked in self-pity, a man who holds women in utter contempt".