A ditched lover raped his ex-girlfriend before murdering her in a "violent, sexual act of spite", a jury heard. Serial love cheat Kyle Clifford, 26, murdered Louise Hunt after she ended their 18-month relationship after storming into her family home wielding a crossbow and knife. Kyle has admitted murdering 25-year-old Louise and her sister Hannah, 28, and their mother Carol, 61, in a bloodbath attack on their home in Bushey, Herts.

But he denies raping Louise, the daughter of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, whilst holding her hostage before killing. Opening the case at Cambridge Crown Court Alison Morgan KC, prosecuting, told jurors it was "not in dispute" that Clifford murdered his former partner, her sister Hannah Hunt and their mother. And she told jurors it was also accepted that Clifford falsely imprisoned his ex-girlfriend and was unlawfully in possession of a knife and crossbow.

She said: "The only count for you to determine is that of rape. During the course of this prolonged incident of violence, the prosecution alleges that the defendant raped Louise Hunt.

"It was a violent, sexual act of spite, before he then killed her. And you will have to determine that allegation against him.

"He denies that he raped Louise Hunt during the course of these events on July 9 of last year."

Ms Morgan said the deadly attack had been "carefully planned and executed" afterLouise dumped the former soldier last June.

She added: "The attack was carefully planned and executed, involving the deceit of Louise's mother Carol Hunt, in order to gain access to the family home, followed by a brutal knife attack upon Carol Hunt.

"The defendant then waited for Louise Hunt to enter the property, before restraining, raping and ultimately murdering her with a crossbow.

"He then killed Louise's sister Hannah Hunt with the same crossbow when she returned to the property after work."

The court was told Clifford has "a nasty temperature" and was furious that he had been rejected by his former partner.

She said that Louise had "instigated the end of the relationship, supported by her friends and family".

"In the days that followed, the defendant tried to rekindle the relationship in various ways, all of which were rebuffed by Louise Hunt," the barrister told Cambridge Crown Court.

"This rejection angered the defendant.

"He was angry at Louise, but also at the Hunt family generally, as he correctly assumed that friends and family members had advised Louise to end the relationship with him."

Clifford killed his ex-girlfriend and her sister with a crossbow and stabbed their mother to death in what was branded an "act of extreme violence".

Ms Morgan said Clifford's "planning of that attack began shortly after Louise Hunt sent messages to him ending their relationship".

He was furious despite having repeatedly cheated on dog groomer Louise with other women he worked with.

Ms Morgan told jurors the only count they must come to a verdict on is the rape charge against Louise.

She continued: "During the course of this prolonged incident, the prosecution alleges that the defendant raped Louise Hunt.

"It was a violent, sexual act of spite, before he then killed her. You will have to determine that allegation against him."

The court was told Louise's friends and family had grown concerned over her relationship with Clifford before the triple murder.

One friend said the dog groomer had confided in her about Clifford's "nasty temper" and revealed he had "behaved in an aggressive manner".

While sister Hannah found the security worker to be "disrespectful, rude and arrogant" and hoped the relationship would come to an end, it was said.

Jurors heard the couple had gone to a wedding around two weeks before the attack that became a "catalyst" for the break up.

Clifford allegedly implied he had "slept with a number of people at the wedding, which upset Louise".

He also made a series of "patronising comments" to her, including about her ability to use an oven, Ms Morgan said.

On June 23 last year - the day they got back - Louise messaged Clifford, saying: "We definitely need to have a conversation".

He replied claiming he wasn't going to "take s**t" from her, adding: "I'll be damned if I ever beg someone to love me for who I am".

Clifford, of Enfield, north London, has admitted three counts of murder, one of false imprisonment against Louise Hunt, and two counts of possession of offensive weapons - the crossbow and the knife.

He denies the rape of Louise Hunt on the same day, July 9.

The trial continues