'Crossbow Cannibal' in court accused of killing three women

CRIMINOLOGY student Stephen Griffiths, who has dubbed himself the "crossbow cannibal", was remanded in custody today charged with the murder of three prostitutes.

The former public schoolboy made a brief appearance at Bradford Crown Court this afternoon accused of killing Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage and Susan Rushworth, who all went missing in the city.

It was his second court appearance of the day after his case was fast-tracked to the crown court.

This morning Griffiths, 40, appeared at Bradford Magistrates' Court where, when asked to confirm his name, he said: "The crossbow cannibal."

Asked for his address, Griffiths, who was wearing a black shirt and navy blue jeans, replied: "Erm ... here I guess."

Relatives of some of the victims were in court for the earlier hearing.

Some wiped away tears at the start of proceedings. Others stared intently at Griffiths, who stood to give his 'name'.

At other times he sat, fidgeting and touching his head, or staring silently at the floor.

Griffiths is charged with murdering Ms Blamires between 20 May and 25 May; murdering Ms Rushworth between 22 June, 2009, and 25 May this year, and murdering Ms Armitage between 25 April and 25 May this year.

Police said yesterday that the remains of Ms Blamires were found on Tuesday afternoon in water just a few yards from where the busy Otley Road crosses the River Aire in Shipley.

Ms Blamires was last seen on Friday, while Ms Armitage, 31, has been missing since Monday, 26 April, and Ms Rushworth, 43, disappeared on 22 June last year.

Griffiths, a psychology graduate undertaking postgraduate research in criminology at Bradford University, was arrested on Monday at his home on the edge of Bradford's red-light district.

Last night police were continuing to search the flats complex and an area around it was sealed off.

He had lived in the flats for about 13 years. He attended the private Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield in his teens.

Judge James Goss told Griffiths his next appearance would be via video link to prison.

The defendant sat for most of the five-minute hearing behind the glass front of the dock with his hands clasped together and his head bowed.

He nodded when he was told he would next be appearing by the video link.

He showed no emotion as about 18 members of his alleged victims' families strained to see him through a glass barrier along the public gallery.