Clifford was found guilty of raping his ex-partner Louise before murdering her and her family at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.

The 26-year-old former soldier became “enraged” when his Louise ended their 18-month relationship - which led to him plotting the “carefully planned and executed” killings on July 9 last year.

Clifford gained access to the family home by deceiving 61-year-old Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, before stabbing her to death in a “brutal knife attack”.

After killing Mrs Hunt, 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 the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, after work.

Less than 24 hours before the murders, Clifford had searched for Andrew Tate’s podcast, with prosecutor Alison Morgan KC telling the court: “It’s misogynistic, trying to control Louise Hunt in the context of a final act of spite. You can see how the mind was working.”