Triple killer Kyle Clifford refuses to leave prison cell for rape trial defence

Triple killer Kyle Clifford this morning refused to leave his prison cell to give evidence in his own defence at his rape trial. The murderer also declined to offer his own defence via a video-link between London’s Belmarsh Prison and Cambridge Crown Court. Clifford, 26, has been left paralysed from the waist down after shooting himself with a crossbow after slaying his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt and her sister Hannah, 28, with the same deadly weapon.

In the same rampage last July the former soldier also used a 10-inch butchery knife to stab the sisters’ mother Carol, 61, to death during a near three-hour siege at the family home in Bushey, Herts. The court has been told how Clifford raped his ex-girlfriend before murdering her in a “violent, sexual act of spite”. The attack came after Louise, daughter of racing commentator John Hunt, ended their 18-month relationship, storming into her family home wielding a crossbow and a knife.

Clifford has admitted murdering Louise and her sister Hannah, 28, and their mother Carol, 61, in a bloodbath attack at their home in Bushey, Herts.

But he denies raping Louise while holding her hostage before the killing.

However yesterday the jury was told by defence barrister Phil Bradley KC that Clifford had opted not to take to the stand to give evidence in his own defence.

The judge, Mr Justice Joel Bennathan, asked Mr Bradley if he had advised his client that if he chose not to give evidence “the jury may draw such inferences as appear proper”.

Mr Bradley indicated that he had advised the defendant.

The judge asked: “Do you call Mr Clifford?”

Mr Bradley replied “I don’t”, and when asked if he called any other evidence he said “I don’t”.

The judge told jurors that Clifford not coming to court to give evidence meant he could not “contradict or undermine” the prosecution’s case.

Mr Justice Bennathan told the jury panel it was up to them to decide whether the decision would “count against the defendant”.

Ms Morgan said the decision to choose not to come to court to explain what he was doing in the hour and a half that he held Louise Hunt hostage had left Mr Bradley in “an impossible situation.”

Ms Morgan KC previously told jurors it was “not in dispute” that Clifford murdered his former partner, her sister and their mother.

And she said it was also accepted that Clifford falsely imprisoned his ex-girlfriend and was unlawfully in possession of a knife and crossbow.

The jury has heard how the killer had tricked his way into the home after claiming to Carol that he wanted to give Louise her belongings back following their break-up.

Ms Morgan said: “The only count for you to determine is that of rape. During the course of this prolonged incident of violence, the prosecution alleges that the defendant raped Louise Hunt.

“It was a violent, sexual act of spite, before he then killed her. And you will have to determine that allegation against him.

“He denies that he raped Louise Hunt during the course of these events on July 9 of last year.”

The KC said the deadly attack happened after Louise dumped the former soldier last June.

She added: “The attack was carefully planned and executed, involving the deceit of Louise’s mother Carol Hunt, in order to gain access to the family home, followed by a brutal knife attack upon Carol Hunt.

“The defendant then waited for Louise Hunt to enter the property, before restraining, raping and ultimately murdering her with a crossbow.

“He then killed Louise’s sister Hannah Hunt with the same crossbow when she returned to the property after work.”

The court was told Clifford has “a nasty temper” and was furious that he had been rejected by his former partner. It was said that Louise had “instigated the end of the relationship, supported by her friends and family”.

Ms Morgan said: “In the days that followed, the defendant tried to rekindle the relationship in various ways, all of which were rebuffed by Louise Hunt. This rejection angered the defendant.

“He was angry at Louise, but also at the Hunt family generally, as he correctly assumed that friends and family members had advised Louise to end the relationship with him.”

Clifford stabbed Carol to death in what was branded an “act of extreme violence”.

Ms Morgan said Clifford’s “planning of that attack began shortly after Louise Hunt sent messages to him ending their relationship”.

He was furious despite having repeatedly cheated on dog groomer Louise with other women he worked with, it was claimed. The court was told Louise’s friends and family had grown concerned over her relationship with Clifford before the triple murder.

Sister Hannah found the security worker to be “disrespectful, rude and arrogant” and hoped the relationship would come to an end, it was said.

Jurors heard the couple had gone to a wedding around two weeks before the attack that became a “catalyst” for the break-up.

Clifford allegedly implied he had “slept with a number of people at the wedding, which upset Louise”.

He also made a series of “patronising comments” to her, including about her ability to use an oven, Ms Morgan said. On June 23 last year, the day they got back, Louise messaged Clifford, saying: “We definitely need to have a conversation.”

He replied claiming he wasn’t going to “take s***” from her, adding: “I’ll be damned if I ever beg someone to love me for who I am.”

Ms Morgan said Clifford had initially appeared to accept a message from Louise in which she said she wanted to “take some space and walk away” from their relationship.

Louise said in a message to Clifford on June 26 last year: “I don’t know that, in the future, if we both do the work on ourselves, this could be something amazing.

“But I just feel right now I owe it to myself to take some space and walk away for my own sanity and health.”

She continued in the message: “Thank you for the incredible time we’ve had this year. I hope you know how much I love you and still will for a long time.

“I never want there to be anything nasty between us ever. Take care of yourself always please.”

The prosecutor told the court that Clifford appeared to accept this, and said in his reply: “Thank you for the clarity Louise, so we can both start our healing process. I love you so much and will do for a long time.”

Clifford penned a message to himself on his phone in the days leading up to the attack, saying: “This is my decision to just be at peace.”

The court heard Clifford bought weapons, including a £357 crossbow, and spent £89 on a “high-level butchering knife” from Amazon. He even searched online to see what racing events were on to ensure John was out of the house, it was said.

The security worker also wrote a note to his family saying he did not “want to live my life without her”, and went to Toolstation to buy rope and B&Q for duct tape used to restrain Louise, it was said.

Chilling CCTV footage showed Clifford striding away from the triple murder scene with a crossbow, which appeared to be under a sheet, as he left an alleyway leading to the property.

Clifford, who is being tried in his absence, had previously visited his brother Bradley Clifford in jail, where he is serving life for murder.

Following the attacks, Clifford, who served in the military from 2019 for around three years, became the subject of a manhunt before he was found injured in Enfield, North London, after shooting himself in the chest with the crossbow.

This left him “paralysed from the waist down” and requiring a wheelchair.

He was critically ill in hospital but after surviving and being arrested he told police: “What I have done is atrocious.”

Clifford, of Enfield, has admitted three counts of murder, one of false imprisonment against Louise Hunt, and two counts of possession of offensive weapons.

He denies the rape of Louise Hunt on the same day.

The trial continues.