Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford pleads guilty to murdering BBC racing pundit John Hunt's family

Kyle Clifford has pleaded guilty to three counts of murder.

Clifford, 26, today admitted murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last year. He also admitted the false imprisonment of Louise.

During a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court, Clifford, from Enfield, north London, also admitted 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.

Louise, Hannah and Carol - the family of BBC racing pundit John Hunt - were killed in an attack on July 9 at their home in Bushey, Herts., last year. Carol was stabbed to death, while her daughters were killed with a crossbow. Clifford was later arrested following a manhunt.

Police arrived at the home to find the front door open and Louise tied up, the court was previously told. Her sister Hannah had been shot with a crossbow, while mum Carol was stabbed to death with a knife, it was said. 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."

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