Triple-killer Kyle Clifford has been handed a whole-life order for the rape and murder of his ex-partner Louise Hunt, and the murder of her mother Carol Hunt and sister Hannah Hunt.
Clifford previously pleaded guilty to murdering Louise, Carol and Hannah, and was later convicted of raping Louise in a “violent, sexual act of spite”.
Passing the sentence at Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan called Clifford a “jealous man, soaked in self-pity – a man who holds women in utter contempt”.
“I therefore make clear at once that for each of these three murders, the sentence will be one of life imprisonment with a whole-life order,” he added.
“That means a sentence from which you will never be released.”
He also paid tribute to “the astonishing dignity and courage with which Carol, Louise and Hannah’s family conducted themselves” through the trial.
Clifford again refused to appear in court to face his victims’ family on Tuesday who gave emotional statements to court.
John Hunt, father to Louise and Hannah, who told the court he had wanted to deliver his victim impact statement “eye to eye with Kyle”, described him as “callous, cowardly and vindictive”.
The BBC racing commentator fought back tears as he read his statement to the court ahead of Clifford’s sentencing, describing him as a “psychopath” who “deceived” his family.
Mr Hunt added that he was proud of his girls and said Louise had 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.”
Amy Hunt, Louise and Hannah’s older sister, called Clifford a “monster” and said that what he did “to my baby sister is nothing short of demonic”.
She broke down and wept part way through her victim impact statement at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday, saying: “For dad and I, you have callously and coldly taken not one, not two but the three most important people in our lives outside of each other.
“You planned to take the lives of three women who have never done anything to hurt you and for what – you got dumped,” she said.
A court previously heard the murders were fuelled by the “violent misogyny promoted” by influencer Andrew Tate, after it emerged that Clifford searched for the controversial social media influencer’s podcast less than 24 hours before the attacks.
In court, addressing Clifford’s search for Tate’s podcast, Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC , said his decision to “turn to Andrew Tate” the night before he murdered three people was “no coincidence”.
She said: “Andrew Tate can properly be described as a poster boy for misogynists – a poster boy for those who view women as possession to be controlled.
“In that context, and in light of all the other background material, it is no coincidence, the prosecution submit, that it was Andrew Tate that the defendant turned to the night before he would go off to commit these acts of violence against women.”
The 26-year-old was found guilty by a jury at Cambridge Crown Court last week after around 45 minutes – accepting the prosecution’s case that the rape on Louise Hunt was a “violent, sexual act of spite”.
Clifford was tried in his absence after refusing to leave his cell at HMP Belmarsh, the court was told on Thursday.
Prosecutors previously said Clifford became “enraged” when 25-year-old Louise ended their 18-month relationship – leading him to “carefully” plan the July 9 murders.
Clifford gained access to the family home by deceiving 61-year-old Carol 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 28-year-old Hannah Hunt when she returned to the property in a quiet cul-de-sac in Bushey, Hertfordshire, after work.