Cowardly triple killer Kyle Clifford delivered his final insult to his victims’ family today when he refused to appear in court to be sentenced.
The ex-soldier, who raped and murdered his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25, and killed her mother, Carol, 61, and sister Hannah, 28, also failed to appear throughout his trial.
At the start of today’s hearing, Mr Justice Joel Bennathan said: ‘The defendant was asked to attend but refused.’
He said HMP Belmarsh had discussed using ‘restraints’ but the judge added: ‘I’ve declined on the grounds of a man in a wheelchair being put in restraints is simply not appropriate.
‘If the defendant simply lacks the courage to face today, so be it.’
It means the family – including Louise’s father, BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt – who acted impeccably throughout the process – never got the chance to look the killer in the eye.
A court source told the Mail: ‘He won’t be appearing in court or on CVP.
‘Everything has been done to try and convince him but it’s not going to happen.’
The non-attendance will renew pressure for new rules forcing criminals to face the music in person. Those who have refused to appear in court include Lucy Letby, who didn’t attend her sentencing.
Hate-filled misogynist Clifford, 26, fuelled his fury by watching obnoxious Andrew Tate videos the day before he murdered ex the three women.
Kyle Clifford (pictured) raped and murdered his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25, and killed her mother, Carol, 61, and sister Hannah, 28
Louise Hunt (left), Hannah Hunt (centre) and Carol Hunt (right), who were murdered in their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire
The crossbow used by Clifford. Photo issued by Hertfordshire Police
The knife packaging is pictured in a photo issued by police
Carol was butchered with a ten-inch knife at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, before evil Clifford waited for Louise to come in and subjected her to a two-and-a-half-hour rape ordeal, during which she was bound and gagged with duct tape.
He then shot her through the heart with a crossbow and did the same to her sister when she got home moments later.
Clifford admitted the three murders, false imprisonment and possession of weapons but forced Louise’s family and friends to hear harrowing evidence at the trial after denying the rape. He was convicted last week.
The killer’s brother Bradley is serving life with a minimum 23 years for murder after ramming a moped driver with his car following a dispute over a women.
Traumatised Mr Hunt and his eldest daughter, Amy – who were not at home during Clifford’s rampage – will not be commenting after sentencing, police said.
Friends had noticed how Louise started wearing less makeup and wasn’t allowed to see male friends on her own during the 18=-month relationship with Clifford.
Her growing doubts came to a head on June 22 last year when they went to a friend’s wedding in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and he ‘belittled’ her by boasting about sleeping with other women and mocking her cooking.
She dumped him shortly afterwards, unaware he had had at least two affairs while they were together.
On July 9 – having bought a murder kit including the crossbow, knife, duct tape, rope and other paraphernalia – Clifford turned up at the £800,000 detached family home to enact what the prosecution called his ‘violent, sexual act of spite’.
Louise Hunt (pictured), who was formerly in a relationship with Clifford, was killed alongside her mother and sister in the crossbow attack in Bushey in July last year
Brave Hannah Hunt called 999 during the attacks and was still alive when police arrived at the home in Bushey, but later died from her wounds
John Hunt is pictured with his wife Carol, who was killed alongside two of their two daughters
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He talked his way in, telling kindly Carol he had a farewell card for the family and was also dropping off some of Louise’s belongings.
Her obvious fear at his appearance was caught on audio from two security cameras at the house as she admitted she felt like she’d seen a ‘ghost’.
It would also record screams from the women as they were murdered, one by one, and the ‘whooshing’ sound of the crossbow as bolts were unleashed.
After a jury took just 45 minutes to convict Clifford unanimously of rape last Thursday, Mr Justice Bennathan said: ‘It’s unspeakable what friends and family have witnessed in this court.’
Brave Hannah managed to call 999 as she lay dying. All three women were declared dead at the scene.
Clifford was found hiding in Lavender Hill Cemetery, near his home in Enfield, north London, the following day.
He shot himself with the crossbow as officers approached and was left paralysed from the chest down.
The only time he showed emotion during a police interview was when crocodile tears appeared as officers mentioned a suicide note in which he wrote: ‘I could be a better man. But I choose not to.’
The case has renewed concerns about the tidal wave of toxic masculinity spouted by online influencers such as Tate – who has been accused of rape by several women and was accused of sexual misconduct and human trafficking in Romania, allegations he denies – brainwashing impressionable young boys and men.
The government has also said it will look at laws governing the sale of crossbows.
