'Crossbow cannibal' faces murder charges

A criminology student who dubbed himself the "crossbow cannibal" has appeared in court charged with murdering three prostitutes.

Stephen Griffiths, 40, is accused of killing Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage and Susan Rushworth, who all went missing in Bradford. The psychology graduate, who was undertaking postgraduate research in criminology at Bradford University, appeared at the city's Crown Court for a review hearing yesterday.

There were 18 relatives of the dead women in the public gallery. It was the first time they had come face to face with the man who gave himself the now notorious moniker at a court appearance in May.

Griffiths, dressed in a black shirt and dark trousers, sat with his arms folded behind a glass dock. He was flanked by five security guards for the 25-minute hearing. During the proceedings, which cannot be reported for legal reasons, he remained motionless and did not look up to the public gallery. He spoke only to confirm his name.

The case was adjourned and he was remanded in custody to appear at Leeds Crown Court on 21 December.