Triple murderer Kyle Clifford turned to ‘posterboy for misogynists’ Andrew Tate before killings
The 26-year-old searched online for Tate’s podcast the night before he carried out the murders of Louise, Carol and Hannah Hunt
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Triple killer Kyle Clifford had shown an interest in self-described misogynist and social media influencer Andrew Tate, before he murdered his ex-partner, her sister and her mother.
The 26-year-old used deception to access Louise Hunt’s family home in Hertfordshire, and stabbed Carol Hunt, 61, to death, before using a crossbow to kill his former girlfriend, 25, and her sister Hannah, 28.
In a witness statement, a friend of Louise outlined his interest in Tate during the course of their 18-month-relationship, and that she observed him putting on a video of the influencer which showed animals being drugged.
"She asked the defendant why he was watching it and he said it was funny."
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said: "Andrew Tate can properly be described as a poster boy for misogyny, a poster boy for those who see women as possessions to be controlled.
"It is no coincidence that it was Andrew Tate the defendant turned to the night before he would go on to commit these acts of violence against women."
Clifford searched online for Tate’s podcast on 8 July, the night before the attacks in Bushey. Jurors were not told of his interest in the former kickboxing champion, who is due to stand trial in Romania on rape and human trafficking charges, as it might have been prejudicial.
In an emotional victim impact statement, Louise’s father, BBC racing commentator John Hunt said his daughter left Clifford after saying “enough is enough”.
“I hope women round the world will take Louise’s bravery as a shining beacon for their lives,” he said. If you feel enough is enough, then it is.”
Following his departure from the British Army, Clifford’s supervisor at a catering company said he was “unhappy with the way that the defendant spoke about women”, the court heard.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said: “The defendant would describe his sexual activity with women in detail and would comment about women within the workplace and whether or not he could have sex with them.
“For example, saying words such as ‘I could ride on that’.
“These were comments that were being made the time when the defendant was in a relationship with Louise Hunt.”
Ms Morgan said another supervisor noted “immaturity” at work and described how he referred to his brother Bradley Clifford, who is serving a life sentence for murder, as a “geezer”.
In the days before carrying out the killings, Clifford spoke to his brother in prison and told him that he had ordered a crossbow, although did not say he was planning on hurting anyone.
Prosecutors previously said Clifford became “enraged” when Louise ended their 18-month relationship, leading him to “carefully” plan the murders.
Clifford gained access to the family home by deceiving Carol into believing he was returning belongings, before stabbing her to death in a “brutal knife attack”.
After killing her, the defendant then “lay in wait” for an hour for Louise to enter the house, before restraining, raping and ultimately murdering her with a crossbow.
He then fatally shot Hannah when she returned to the property in the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, after work.
He has refused to attend his sentencing having previously admitted three counts of murder, after refusing to leave his cell in HMP Belmarsh last week while on trial for the rape of Louise.
Mr Hunt said: “Whatever sentence you’re about to receive, whatever misery lies ahead for you in the next 60 years, remain that after your days on earth are done, on your dying day there will be no release for you Kyle.
“The screams of hell, Kyle. I can hear them faintly now. They’re going to roll the red carpet out for you.”
Clifford is due to be sentenced later today.