The criminology student Stephen Griffiths has been remanded in custody after appearing at Bradford Crown Court charged with the murder of three prostitutes.

Earlier, he gave his name as "the crossbow cannibal." The 40-year-old former public schoolboy is accused of killing Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage and Susan Rushworth, who all went missing in Bradford.

The remains of Ms Blamires were found on Tuesday afternoon in the River Aire at Shipley.

Griffiths, who was wearing a black shirt and navy blue jeans, appeared at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Friday morning. Asked to confirm his name he said: "The crossbow cannibal." Asked for his address, Griffiths replied: "Erm ... here I guess."

Relatives of some of the victims were in court for the 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,

Court clerk Miss Amarjit Soor read out the charges to Griffiths during the three-minute long hearing. She said he was 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.