John Hunt was given a powerful tribute during coverage of Cheltenham yesterday after the grieving father and husband delivered a brave impact statement at the sentencing of Kyle Clifford
John Hunt’s colleagues have honoured the brave BBC star with an emotional tribute during coverage of the Cheltenham races.
Grieving father and husband John, who is a regular on BBC sport, delivered a powerful and moving victim impact statement at the sentencing of killer Kyle Clifford on Tuesday. Clifford, 26, was handed a whole life sentence for triple murder and rape at Cambridge Crown Court. He admitted to shooting John’s daughter – his ex-girlfriend, Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah, 28, with a crossbow and also stabbing their mother, Carol, 61, last July. Clifford fled the murder scene with the weapon and was found 36 hours later by police in a cemetery in Enfield with self-inflicted injuries.
Although he initially denied raping Louise during the vile attack, he was subsequently found guilty last week. Clifford refused to appear at his sentencing, both in person or via a video link. Instead, he was left in the medical wing of HMP Belmarsh ,a maximum security prison. On Tuesday, John showed indescribable strength and bravery as he shared his victim impact statement, stating that hell will “roll out a red carpet” for Clifford.
Clifford was previously held in HMP Norwich, a Category B/C prison which had previously housed Reggie Kray and Ronnie Biggs. John said he “so wanted to deliver these words eye to eye with Kyle”. John’s racing colleague Richard Hoiles spoke about his strength and courage during his coverage of ITV’s Cheltenham 2025.
Pausing between coverage, Richard said: “I just think, take a moment or two for the many friends and colleagues of John Hunt to pay tribute to him today, they’ve been giving their victim impact statements as part of the sentencing process and have done so, no doubt you will be able to read or hear about it with tremendous dignity, courage, to pay tribute to Carol, Anna and Louise.
One can’t even bring ourselves to think about what that must have involved. We hope justice as far as it can been has been served. We’re all missing John’s presence here today very much, our thoughts are with him.” The short but sweet move was widely praised online.
One viewer penned: “Lovely words from Richard Hoiles #JohnHunt.” A second added: “Lovely mention of John Hunt and his family on @ITVSport.” Meanwhile, a third commented: “Class act is Richard Hoiles.” In court, John said: “When I was first invited to provide a victim impact statement, I initially misunderstood its purpose, do I really need to detail the impact of having three quarters of my family murdered?
“But then I realised that his was my final opportunity to say what I wanted to say, specifically to you, Kyle, words that will also be directed to your family, who will carry guilt forwards with them for the rest of their lives. They knew about the weapons, they knew.” He went on to say “the screams of hell” would be waiting for Clifford, adding: “They’re going to roll the red carpet out for you.”
Surviving sister Amy said Clifford had earned a “rightful spot in hell”. Amy told the court she could “never comprehend why you would do such a monstrous thing” and described the “horrific pain and trauma” caused by his murders. She said: “You decided your own fragile ego and pride were more important than three beautiful, meaningful and productive lives… you showed who you really are. For what? Because you got dumped.”
Hannah Hunt’s partner Alex Klein said: “Kyle, the world knows how pathetic you are, and that my Hannah stopped you in your tracks. I have no sympathy for what may happen to you and your family in the future. You are nothing to me, and I have nothing but disgust for you. You are a weak and insecure little boy who compulsively lied… always looking for the easy way out rather than facing the truth. You are a coward. You simply were not good enough for an angel like Louise. Your soul will suffer for eternity.”
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
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