'Crossbow cannibal' in court over prostitute murders

In court: Stephen Griffiths dubbed himself the 'crossbow cannibal'
12 April 2012

A criminology student who dubbed himself the "crossbow cannibal" will appear in court today charged with the murders of three prostitutes.

Stephen Griffiths, 40, is charged with the murders of 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, is appearing at the city's crown court.

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; 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 has also been 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.

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