A crossbow killer today dramatically admitted the murder of BBC racing commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters.
Kyle Clifford, 26, entered guilty pleas to murdering Louise Hunt, 25, and her sister Hannah, 28, on July 9 last year.
At Cambridge Crown Court today he also admitted killing their mum, Carol, 61, in their family home.
Clifford entered guilty pleas to possession of a 10-inch butcher’s knife and possession of a crossbow.
However he denied raping Louise on July 9 and is due to go on trial later this year.
Clifford had denied the murders during a hearing last month but today changed his plea and admitted all three charges.
Heartbroken commentator John, 59, did not attend the hearing as Clifford changed his pleas. Clifford was paralysed from the waist down after being shot with a crossbow bolt after the murders. Police said it was a “self inflicted wound”.
Sat in a wheelchair and appearing by video link today, Clifford wore a red jumper as he appeared from prison. Clifford was arrested following a manhunt but was unable to be interviewed while he was treated for the injury in hospital.
Hannah and Louise had been shot with a crossbow, while mum Carol was stabbed to death with a knife. It is understood Mr Hunt was informed of the tragedy as he returned from work at Lingfield Park.
Footage released after the murders showed a man striding away from the scene clutching a large weapon. Hertfordshire Police took the unusual step of naming and picturing Clifford, who served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, as the search for the alleged killer widened.
John and surviving daughter Amy previously released a statement saying their devastation “cannot be put into words”. They added: “We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days. These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.”
In a further statement read to Sky Sports Racing viewers by colleague Matt Chapman, John paid tribute to his “inspirational” surviving daughter.
He said: “Notwithstanding the horrid evil that’s swept through our lives, wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read. Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me, which I am trying so hard to replicate.”
