Criminology student appears in court on murders of 3 prostitutes in northern England

Criminology student in court in prostitute deaths

LONDON — A 40-year-old criminology student described himself as “the crossbow cannibal” when he appeared in court to face charges that he murdered three prostitutes in northern England.

Stephen Griffiths is accused of killing the three women who disappeared in Bradford, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of London.

When asked to give his name in court, Griffiths said simply “the crossbow cannibal.” Britain’s tabloid newspapers, which have devoted front page attention to the case, have suggested that Griffiths used a crossbow in slaying one of his victims.

Relatives of some of the victims who were in court brushed away tears as the three-minute hearing took place.

Griffiths was remanded for a hearing later Friday.