John Hunt’s daughter informed police she feared she would die, courtroom hears
The daughter of a BBC commentator told police she feared she would die and was later found tied to a chair after she and her sister were shot with a crossbow and their mother stabbed, a court heard today.
Kyle Clifford was remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to appear at the Royal Courts of Justice this afternoon following the incident in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9.
The 26-year-old sported a black beard and thick hair with a fringe as he sat in a wheelchair, dressed in a prison-issue grey sweatshirt, appearing via video link from Kempston custody suite in Bedfordshire.
Clifford, from Enfield, North London, nodded to confirm his name, age and address. Earlier he had told court officials that he was suffering from a throat injury which made it difficult for him to speak loudly.
He was charged last night with three counts of murder, false imprisonment and two counts of possession of offensive weapons – namely a crossbow and a 10-inch butcher’s knife.
Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the family home on Ashlyn Close.
A court artist’s sketch of Kyle Clifford appearing via videolink at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today – charged with murder, false imprisonment and possession of offensive weapons
A photo issued by Hertfordshire Police of Kyle Clifford, 26, who has been charged with murder
The court heard that Louise had been found tied to a chair when officers attended the property.
Louise and Hannah had been shot with a crossbow and their mother Carol had been stabbed with a knife and suffered multiple injuries, the court was told.
The court heard Hannah called the police and told them she feared she was going to die as she had been shot along with her sister and mother.
The Chief Magistrate, District Judge Paul Goldspring, remanded Clifford in custody ahead of a hearing at the High Court this afternoon.
The judge told the defendant: ‘You face three charges of murder and two charges in relation to weapons and one in relation to false imprisonment.’
He said the charges of murder and false imprisonment are ‘matters which can only be heard at the crown court’ and that the charges of weapon possession are ‘related’.
John Hunt is pictured with his wife Carol, who was killed alongside two of their two daughters
‘I am duty bound to send the case to the crown court.’
The judge continued: ‘I do not have the power to consider bail in this court.
‘I therefore send 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.’
Clifford is charged with murdering Hannah Hunt, Carol Hunt and Louise Hunt on July 9.
He is also charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon – one a 10-inch butcher’s knife and the other a compound crossbow.
The final charge faced is of false imprisonment, which alleges Clifford ‘assaulted and unlawfully and injuriously imprisoned Louise Hunt and detained her against her will’.
Police were previously unable to speak to the suspect while he received treatment for an injury in hospital.
Hannah Hunt was killed alongside her mother and sister in the crossbow attack in Bushey
Clifford has been under arrest since July 10, Hertfordshire Police said.
Officers had previously been unable to interview Clifford while he received treatment for an injury in hospital, where he remained under arrest. But he was charged last night.
Carol died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, while her daughters Hannah and Louise died from crossbow bolt injuries, an inquest was told on July 30.
The three women were found fatally injured at the family home on Ashlyn Close just after 7pm on July 9.
The court heard how police were called to the Hunt family home after Hannah, fearing for her life, made a 999 call claiming that she, Carol and Louise had been shot.
When police arrived, they discovered Hannah lying in the doorway, shot in the chest.
Louise Hunt (pictured), sister of Hannah Hunt and daughter of Carol and John Hunt, was killed
David Burns, prosecuting, outlined the facts of the case in front of Chief Magistrate District Judge Paul Goldspring.
He said: ‘Police were called by Hannah Hunt to say that Clifford was in the property, saying he had shot her mother and her sister. The call was cut off.
‘Call was re-established to call an ambulance before the call was cut off again. Police arrive at the address to find Hannah by the door, shot in the chest with a crossbow.
‘Louise was tied to a chair and had also been shot with a crossbow. And Carol who had been stabbed with a knife and suffered multiple injuries.
‘All three were treated at the scene but all three passed away. Clifford was then tracked down shortly after and he had shot himself in the chest with a crossbow.’
Friends leave flowers on Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, after the attack on July 11
Clifford did not speak during the brief hearing and simply nodded when asked if he had understood proceedings.
Ahead of today’s hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, from 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 come to terms with their loss.
‘Over the past couple of months, we have been working hard to gather as much evidence as possible and establish the full circumstances of what happened that day.
‘Today, we have managed to secure charges against Kyle Clifford in connection with the murders of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt.
Mourners attend a service at St James’s Church in Bushey on July 11 following the incident
‘Although it has taken some time to reach this stage, we can now move forward with the judicial process and seek justice for their family.’
Lisa Ramsarran, chief crown prosecutor for Crown Prosecution Service’s Thames and Chiltern region, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Hertfordshire Constabulary to charge Kyle Clifford with three counts of murder following the deaths of Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt in Bushey on Tuesday, July 9.
‘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 false imprisonment.
‘Our thoughts remain with the Hunt family and all those who have been affected by this tragic incident.
‘As criminal proceedings are active, there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that could prejudice the defendant’s right to a fair trial.’
A view of the scene on July 11 on Ashlyn Close in Bushey, where the Hunt family lived
Last month, in a tribute to the three victims, Mr Hunt and his third daughter Amy had said: ‘The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.’
In a further statement read to Sky Sports Racing viewers by his colleague Matt Chapman, Mr Hunt paid tribute to his ‘magnificently 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, trying so hard, to replicate.
‘Every message has felt so important, the same as a reassuring hug. We know people are worried about us. We will get through this.’
