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'Crossbow cannibal' in court over prostitute murders

Criminology student Stephen Griffiths, who dubbed himself the ''crossbow cannibal'' has appeared in court charged with the murders of three prostitutes.

Published: 12:29PM BST 15 Oct 2010



Stephen Griffiths appeared in court charged with the murder of three prostitutes

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

The case was adjourned until December 21 when Griffiths will appear at Leeds Crown Court. He was further remanded in custody. During the 25-minute hearing, Griffiths sat with his arms folded and looking down. He occasionally glanced up and spoke only to confirm his name.

Five dock officers sat alongside the defendant, who was wearing a black shirt and dark trousers. The court was packed with relatives of the victims and members of the Press. Ms Blamires, 36, was last seen in May, while Ms Armitage, 31, went missing in April, and Ms Rushworth, 43, disappeared on June 22 last year.

When he was asked for his name at Bradford Magistrates' Court Griffiths replied: ''The crossbow cannibal.'' Griffiths, of Thornton Road, Bradford, is charged with murdering Ms Blamires between May 20 and May 25 this year, murdering Ms Rushworth between June 22 2009 and May 25 this year, and murdering Ms Armitage between April 25 and May 25 this year.

The remains of Ms Blamires were found in the River Aire in Shipley, while body tissue belonging to Ms Armitage was also found in the river. The body of Ms Rushworth has not been located. Griffiths attended the private Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield in his teens before studying at Leeds and Bradford Universities.