Bradford women deaths trial date fixed

Mr Griffiths previously referred to himself as the "crossbow cannibal"

A provisional trial date has been set for a man accused of murdering three women in Bradford.

Stephen Griffiths, 40, of Thornton Road, Bradford, appeared at the city's crown court via video-link from Wakefield Prison.

A provisional trial date of 16 November was set during the hearing.

Mr Griffiths, who spoke only to confirm his name, is accused of murdering prostitutes Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage, and Susan Rushworth.

His barrister told the court his legal team was seeking a consultation with experts from Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire to assess his client's "mental state".

Mr Griffiths referred to himself as the "crossbow cannibal" at a previous court appearance.

He is accused of murdering Ms Blamires, 36, between 20 May and 25 May; murdering Ms Rushworth, 43, between 22 June 2009 and 25 May this year, and murdering Ms Armitage, 31, between 25 April and 25 May this year.

Body parts found in the River Aire at Shipley were from Ms Blamires, who had lived in Barkston Walk, Allerton, and was last seen on 21 May.

Human tissue found in the river belonged to Ms Armitage, also from Allerton, who has been missing since 26 April.

Ms Rushworth, from the Manningham area of the city, disappeared on 22 June last year.