Stephen Griffiths calls himself 'the crossbow cannibal' in court
The 40-year-old appeared at Bradford Magistrates' Court accused of killing of Suzanne Blamires, Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage within the city's red light district in the past 11 months.
Asked to confirm his name, there was a brief pause before the former public schoolboy said "the crossbow cannibal".
The comment drew a gasp from a relative of one victim sitting in court.
Mr Griffiths, who was dressed all in black, was then asked to confirm his address and he responded: "Here I guess".
Relatives of some of the victims stared intently at Griffiths, who was flanked by guards in the dock of the court. Others watched on tearfully.
Mr Griffiths stood to give his name at the beginning of the brief hearing and at other times he sat, fidgeting and touching his head, or staring silently at the floor with his head bowed.
District judge Susan Bouche remanded him to appear at the city's crown court later today.
The search continues for the bodies of Miss Rushworth, 43, and Miss Armitage, 31, who disappeared from Bradford's red light district – the same streets once stalked by Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper.
Forensic searches at Mr Griffiths's one-bedroom flat in Holmfield Court are expected to continue for up to three weeks.
