John Hunt asked ‘everything OK?’ before Kyle Clifford murders

Warning: This article contains details that some people may find distressing

The BBC racing commentator John Hunt sent a text to one of his daughters asking “everything OK sweetness?” shortly before she was murdered, a court heard.

Kyle Clifford is accused of restraining, gagging and raping his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25, before fatally shooting her with a crossbow on 9 July 2024.

Cambridge Crown Court heard he also murdered Ms Hunt’s mother, Carol, and sister, Hannah, after deceiving his way into their house in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

Clifford, of Enfield, north London, has admitted the murders, false imprisonment and possession of offensive weapons, but denies raping Louise Hunt.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC accused Clifford of being angered by Louise Hunt ending their 18-month relationship 13 days before the attacks.

She said Clifford had been left paralysed from the chest downwards after turning the crossbow on himself later that day in Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield.

Footage from a camera at the front of the home, in Ashlyn Close, showed Clifford turning up at 14:32 BST under the guise of dropping off items owned by Louise Hunt.

His former partner’s mother answered the door and asked how he was, with Clifford replying: “I’m good, thank you. What’s wrong? You look like…”

Mrs Hunt responded: “I’ve seen a ghost.”

Dressed in all black, wearing a rucksack and holding a white plastic bag, he spoke with Mrs Hunt before tricking his way inside.

Less than two minutes later, a “long female scream, followed by a shorter scream and shouts” were captured on the footage.

Clifford, 26, admitted stabbing Mrs Hunt to death with a 10in (25cm) butcher’s knife.

He then went to his car to collect a crossbow, before returning and lying in wait for Louise Hunt, who was running her dog grooming business in a pod in the garden.

On Wednesday, jurors were shown home security footage of Louise Hunt walking into the house via a patio door at 16:12.

Miss Morgan said the security system picked up a “faint scream” shortly afterwards and later a loud “whooshing noise”, said to be the sound of the crossbow bolt that killed Louise.

Clifford used Louise’s phone to ask John Hunt, her father, when he would be home, the court heard.

Thinking the message was from his daughter, Mr Hunt replied: “Late, I am afraid. Everything OK sweetness?”

Mr Hunt observed the court proceedings alongside relatives in the public gallery.

Miss Morgan said Clifford shot Hannah Hunt with the crossbow when she returned from work, still in her beautician’s workwear.

She had been trying to call her mother and was heard saying “do you not know how to use your phone?” as she headed through the family’s front door.

Having been attacked by Clifford, the 28-year-old was able to call both the police and her partner, but died inside the property, the prosecutor said.

Miss Morgan told jurors Hannah said: “My sister’s ex-boyfriend has come in and shot us.”

CCTV footage showed Clifford exiting the house at about 18:55, hiding what appeared to be the crossbow under white sheeting, and then driving off.

The trial has already been told Clifford bought the crossbow, six bolts and a cocking device for £350 online.

The former soldier is said to have been angered by the Hunt family being supportive of Louise breaking up with him.

The trial continues.