Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland set for mostly dry conditions at the start of the long weekend
Temperatures climbing back into the low to mid-20s, though cooler along North Sea coasts
Bank holiday Monday outlook remains uncertain, with risk of rain in southern and western areas
Remnants of Hurricane Erin could influence unsettled weather after the weekend
A mixed outlook for the long weekend
The bank holiday weekend is approaching for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but the weather forecast carries a degree of uncertainty. While high pressure looks likely to dominate at first, unsettled conditions could follow, depending on the path of Hurricane Erin currently tracking through the Atlantic.
Saturday and Sunday: mostly settled
High pressure is expected to bring largely dry weather across much of the UK at the start of the long weekend. There should be some sunshine, with only isolated showers possible. After a cooler spell, temperatures will recover, climbing into the low to mid-20s Celsius. However, coastal areas along the North Sea are likely to stay cooler, with more cloud cover and a fresh onshore breeze.
Bank Holiday Monday: uncertainty grows
The forecast for Monday is less clear-cut. Some computer models indicate a continuation of largely settled conditions, while others suggest rain may push into southern and western regions. Forecasters emphasise that details will only become clearer nearer the time.
Influence of Hurricane Erin
Attention is also on Hurricane Erin, currently located east of the Bahamas. While the storm itself will not reach the UK, its remnants could impact the weather patterns in the North Atlantic. This may bring more unsettled conditions after the bank holiday, though the timing and extent remain uncertain.
A season of contrasts
This summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record, but the late August outlook highlights the variable nature of UK weather. With the Atlantic hurricane season now active, forecasts often carry greater uncertainty at this time of year.
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The victims, believed to be in their 60s and 70s, were taken to hospital after the incident and later discharged. (Photo for representation: iStock)
THREEmen have been arrested following a shocking attack on two elderly Sikh men outside Wolverhampton Railway Station, which is now being investigated as a racially-aggravated hate crime.
British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed on Monday (18) that the assault took place on Friday (15). The victims, believed to be in their 60s and 70s, were taken to hospital after the incident and later discharged.
A disturbing 20-second video, widely circulated on social media, shows one of the Sikh men lying on the ground without his turban, while the other is kicked and punched. The video has been viewed over a million times and has sparked outrage both in the UK and abroad.
In a statement, BTP said: "We’re aware of a video on social media and understand the concern this will have caused in the community. We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour on the railway network and have launched a full investigation."
The suspects, aged 17, 19 and 25, have been arrested on suspicion of racially-aggravated assault and have been released on bail while investigations continue.
The Sikh Federation UK, which spoke directly to the victims, described the attack as "vicious". According to the Federation, both men are local taxi drivers who were working outside the station when the assault happened.
"A group of three white men exited the station and approached one of the drivers, demanding to be taken to Oldbury," the organisation said. "They were rude, abusive, and ignored instructions to use the proper taxi rank. When the driver refused, they attacked him, and the second driver was assaulted when he tried to help."
The video also featured a bystander, believed to be a woman recording the incident, shouting: "These two men have just gotten beaten up by these white men!" before yelling at the attackers to stop.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Sikh leaders and political figures. India's Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal said on social media: "This racist hate crime targets the Sikh community, which always seeks Sarbat Da Bhala – the well-being of all." He added that one of the men's turbans was "forcibly removed", calling it a deeply disrespectful act.
Badal urged West Midlands Police and the UK Home Office to act swiftly, and also appealed to India’s external affairs minister S. Jaishankar to take up the matter with the British government to ensure the safety of the Sikh diaspora.
India's opposition Congress party's Punjab state chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also condemned the incident, calling it a “disturbing setback for inter-community harmony” and demanded diplomatic action.
BTP said it is continuing to appeal for witnesses and further video evidence. Anyone with information is urged to contact them directly.
The Sikh community, both in the UK and internationally, has called for justice and greater protection for minorities following the incident.
BRITAIN needs more talented migrants who can create jobs and wealth in this country, a media expert has said, citing evidence from the latest edition of Eastern Eye’s Asian Rich List 2025.
Writing in the Independent on Saturday (16), Chris Blackhurst argued that “against the present backdrop of protests against immigration, the Asian Rich List illustrates that the UK has so much to be thankful for.” He added, “It is hard to imagine where the economy, wider society, would be without the loyalty, tenacity and public spirit of those on the list and the ones ascending fast. We urgently need more like them, not less.”
Blackhurst is an experienced business journalist and was previously the editor of the Independent from 2011-2013.In his comment piece, he noted how businessman Surinder Arora is one the leading hoteliers in the UK, having arrived in this country with very little money.
Arora owns Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow, where he was employed as a waiter, as well as the Fairmont Windsor Park, the InterContinental in east London, near the O2, and Luton Hoo, which he is developing as a luxury golf and health spa. “Arora’s story typifies the members of this year’s Asian Rich List,” Blackhurst said, adding, “what characterises many is a strong work ethic, coupled with relentless drive and determination to succeed.”
He also cited the examples of former prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, whose father NR Narayana Murthy co-founded Infosys, the Indian IT giant.
Among other insights, Blackhurst noted the younger generation of Asian immigrants stepping up to take over the business empires built by their parents, such as the Arora’s son Sanjay and the Hinduja family. This year’s Asian Rich List includes 17 billionaires, while it is estimated the combined wealth of the 101 richest British Asians in the country is £126.26 billion, an increase of £6.22bn from the previous year.
Many Asians have made their mark in the hospitality and hotels sector. It was reported on Monday (18) that Arora has acquired the Ministry of Justice’s £245 million, with a view to revamping it into a luxury hotel in central London.
“Arora Group, owned by the billionaire Surinder Arora, has bought Queen Anne’s Mansions, near Buckingham Palace, from Land Securities, the FTSE 100 landlord,” the Times said, adding “the fourteen-storey building is fully let to the MoJ, which is due to move out in 2028 when its £15 million-a-year lease expires.”
The Hinduja family restored the former Old War Office Building in Whitehall into a luxury 120-room Raffles Hotel and with 85 serviced apartments.Another Asian businessman making headlines is Sharan Pasricha whose Estelle Manor, a country house hotel in Oxfordshire, was the venue for the wedding of Eve Jobs (the daughter of Steve Jobs) for her recent wedding.
Pasricha bought The Hoxton in London, in 2012 as well as Gleneagles in Scotland before transforming the hotel and golfing complex. While growing their wealth, many Asians are also committed to philanthropy, Blackhurst noted, among them Nirmal Sethia and Cyrus and Priya Vandrevala. Sethia provided funds for victims of the Grenfell fire and supports the Museum of London, while the Vandrevala couple are known for their work in mental health and are also patrons of Elephant Family.
London. A five-day Shiv Katha has begun at the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre to honour the victims of the tragic Air India crash, with prayers offered for their eternal peace. The programme, running from 18 to 22 August, is being led by HH Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji with recitations by PP Shri Jogi Dada, and attended by devotees and dignitaries from India and abroad.
Opening the Katha, Shri Jogi Dada called it both a spiritual gathering and a heartfelt tribute to the passengers of the Ahmedabad–London flight. “Mahadev’s darshan equals a pilgrimage. It is inspiring to see the younger generation engaging in bhakti, which is vital for preserving our heritage."
Guruji spoke on the eternal energy of Shiv Shakti and chetna (consciousness). “Shiva is not just a deity but the ultimate consciousness. Through Shiv Katha we awaken inner energy and spread vibrations of peace across the world. May the departed souls attain eternal peace, and may their memories guide us towards compassion and unity,” he said.
The inaugural day saw the presence of Chaitanya Shambhu Maharaj, Shri Maheshbhai Bhatt, Dhruvbhai Bhatt and Rajendrabhai Thakkar. The evening concluded with Aarti and a sacred Rudrabhishek, performed in memory of the crash victims.
ASHVIR SINGH JOHAL has been named manager of Morecambe, becoming the first Sikh to take charge of a professional football club in Britain.
At 30, Johal is also now the youngest manager in England’s top five divisions. He takes over following the club’s recent takeover by the Panjab Warriors consortium and the departure of former boss Derek Adams.
Johal experience from roles at Leicester City’s academy, Wigan Athletic, and Italian side Como. He worked under Kolo Touré at Wigan and assisted Cesc Fàbregas with Como’s youth team.
He recently completed his UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification, and has spent over a decade in player development.
In a previous interview with the BBC, Johal said: "I have been fortunate to work with and learn from some incredible people, and I'm especially grateful to Kolo and Cesc. I know what world-class standards look like, how to lead with clarity, and how to develop a team with a real identity.
"We will create an environment that brings the best out of people, that people want to be part of, and that drives people to improve every day."
His appointment follows a difficult period for Morecambe. The National League suspended the club over non-compliance with league rules, leading to postponed fixtures. The team is due to play Altrincham on Saturday (23), but as of Tuesday (19), they had only five contracted players and were not insured to train, making another delay likely.
Johal said his first focus will be to “identify the players as we need to perform well in the National League.”
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)