The decision by killer Kyle Clifford, armed with three crossbows and knives, to “approach Andrew Tate” ahead of the tragedy that left three people dead was “not random”, a court in England has heard.
Clifford, 26, refused to attend court to meet relatives of his victims on Tuesday as he faces life in prison for the murder of his former partner Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah Hunt and their mother Carol Hunt.
The court had previously heard evidence that the killings were fuelled by “violent misogynistic propaganda” promoted by Tate, after it emerged Clifford had searched for the controversial social media influencer's podcast less than 24 hours before the attacks.
Cambridge Crown Court was told Louise's friend spotted Clifford watching Tate's videos “of animals on drugs” which the killer found “funny”.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan QC told the court: “Andrew Tate could reasonably be described as the epitome of misogyny, a symbol of those who see women as property to be controlled.
“In this context, and having regard to all the supporting material, the prosecution submits that it is no coincidence that it was Andrew Tate whom the defendant approached the night before he was about to commit these acts of violence against women.”
Clifford previously pleaded guilty to the murders of Louise Hunt, Carol Hunt and Hannah Hunt, and was also found guilty of raping Louise in a “brutal sexual act committed out of malice”.
The court heard he had again refused to leave his cell at Belmarsh Prison and Judge Bennathan said: “The defendant was asked to be present here or via video link but he refused and Belmarsh then asked me to decide whether I should order restraining orders to bring him into the video link room.
“I rejected this because the very idea of restricting the actions of a person in a wheelchair and the possibility of interfering with the conduct of a court hearing is completely inappropriate and inappropriate.
“If the defendant does not have the courage to face today, so be it, but I understand that this morning people will pay tribute to the three women who died, and I will not allow anything to interfere with that.”
Accused
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
