Kyle Clifford will be given a whole-life order at Cambridge Crown Court for the crossbow and knife murders of his ex-partner Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah Hunt and her mother Carol Hunt, the sentencing judge said.

Clifford refused to appear at Cambridge Crown Court and face her family, as the judge has declined to order restraints due to the killer’s disability.

Speaking during sentencing, Justice Bennathan said the triple murderer "launched a murderous attack" on his ex-girlfriend and her family.

"The evidence I have heard shows you to be a jealous man soaked in self-pity - a man who holds women in utter contempt.

Clifford refused to appear at Cambridge Crown Court and face her family

“This is no occasion to subject family and friends of your victims to any delay or suspense.

“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.

“That means a sentence from which you will never be released.”

The 26-year-old previously pleaded guilty to murdering his former girlfriend Louise and her mother Carol and her sister Hannah at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9 last year.

Justice Bennathan said the triple murderer 'launched a murderous attack' on his ex-girlfriend and her family

Clifford's ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt

On Thursday, the former soldier was found guilty of rape following a four-day trial.

After he shot himself in the chest with the crossbow, Clifford became paralysed from the chest down.