Horrific injuries to BBC commentator’s wife and two daughters revealed in court – as Kyle Clifford, 26, accused of triple murder, remains silent after being stabbed in the throat

A former soldier appeared in court this morning charged with murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt with a crossbow.

Kyle Clifford, 26, had a thick black beard and thick hair with a fringe as he sat in a wheelchair, wearing a grey prison sweatshirt, appearing via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court from the custody suite in Kempston, Bedfordshire.

Clifford, from Enfield, north London, nodded to confirm his name, age and address. He had previously told judges he had a throat injury that made it difficult for him to speak loudly.

He listened as the court clerk read the six charges against him, saying:

• “Count 1, on 9 July 2024, at 19 Ashlin Close, you murdered Hannah Hunt contrary to common law;
• “Count 2, on 9 July 2024, at 19 Ashlin Close, you murdered Carol Hunt contrary to common law;
• “Count 3, on 9 July 2024, at 19 Ashlin Close, you murdered Louise Hunt contrary to common law;
• “On 9 July 2024 at 19 Ashlin Close, on count 4, he, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, in a public place, namely Ashlyn Close, used an offensive weapon, namely a 10-inch butcher’s knife. Contrary to section 1(1) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953
• “Count 5, between 09/07/2024 and 10/07/2024 at Hertfordshire and Enfield, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, had with him in a public place, namely Ashlyn Close and Cedar Road, an offensive weapon, namely the MXT-405 compound crossbow. Contrary to section 1(1) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.”
• “Count 6, on 09/07/2024, s 19, Ashlyn Close unlawfully and harmfully assaulted and imprisoned Louise Hunt and detained her against her will, contrary to common law.”

Clifford is accused of killing Carol Hunt, 61, with a butcher’s knife and her daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28, with a crossbow at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9.

Officers had not been able to question Clifford previously while he was being treated for an injury at the hospital, where he remained under arrest.

But last night Bedfordshire detectives charged him with three counts of murder, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon and one count of unlawful confinement.

Carol died from stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, while her daughters Hannah and Louise died from injuries sustained from crossbow bolts, an inquest heard on July 30.

The three women were found fatally injured at the family home in Ashlyn Close shortly after 7pm.

The court heard that police were called to the Hunt family home in Bushey on July 9 after Hannah, 28, fearing for her life, made a 999 call claiming she, her mother Carol, 61, and sister Louise, 25, had been shot.

When police arrived, they found Hannah lying on the doorstep with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Louise was found tied to a chair and shot in the chest with a crossbow, the court heard. Carol was stabbed.

Prosecutor David Burns presented the facts of the case to Chief District Judge Paul Goldspring.

He said: “Police were called by Hannah Hunt to say Clifford was at the property, claiming he had shot her mother and sister. The call was disconnected.”

“The call was re-established to call an ambulance before the call was cut off again. Police arrived at the address and found Hannah near the door, shot in the chest with a crossbow.

“Louise was tied to a chair and had also been hit by a crossbow bullet. And Carol, who had been stabbed with a knife, suffered multiple injuries.

“All three were treated at the scene but all three died. Clifford was later found a short time later and had shot himself in the chest with a crossbow.”

Clifford did not speak during the brief hearing and only nodded when asked if he understood the proceedings.

District Judge Goldspring remanded Clifford in custody ahead of a hearing at the High Court this afternoon.

The judge told the defendant: “You face three counts of murder, two counts of weapons charges and one count of unlawful confinement.”

He said the murder and unlawful confinement charges were “matters that can only be heard in the Crown Court” and the weapons charges were “linked”.

“I have a duty to refer the matter to the Crown.”

The judge continued: “I have no jurisdiction to consider the issue of bail in this court.

“I am therefore referring your case to the Central Criminal Court sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice, where you will appear later today. You will be remanded in custody.”

Ahead of today’s hearing, Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Major Crime Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the Hunt family and their loved ones as they continue to cope with their loss.

“Over the last two months we have worked hard to gather as much evidence as possible and establish all the circumstances of what happened that day.

“Today we were successful in securing charges against Kyle Clifford in connection with the murders of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt.

“Although it has taken some time to get to this point, we can now move forward with the legal process and seek justice for their family.”

Lisa Ramsarran, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Thames and Chiltern area of ​​the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Hertfordshire Police to charge Kyle Clifford with three counts of murder following the deaths of Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt in Bushey on Tuesday 9 July.

“Mr Clifford, 26, who was later found by police in Enfield, has also been charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon and one count of unlawful confinement.

“Our thoughts are with the Hunt family and all those affected by this tragic incident.

“Given that the criminal proceedings are ongoing, there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that could undermine the accused’s right to a fair trial.”

Last month, in a tribute to the three victims, Mr Hunt and his third daughter Amy said: “The devastation we are experiencing cannot be described in words.”

In a further statement read to Sky Sports Racing viewers by colleague Matt Chapman, Mr Hunt paid tribute to his “magnificently inspiring” surviving daughter.

He said: “Despite the horrific evil that has swept through our lives, causing devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter-argument has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which have yet to be read.

“My eldest daughter Amy has been a wonderful inspiration with her control and support of me, which I try, I strive, to emulate.

“Every message felt so important, like a reassuring hug. We know people are worried about us. We will get through this.”