A mature student who dubbed himself the "crossbow cannibal" and bragged to police about eating human flesh was jailed for life today for murdering three prostitutes.

Sentencing Stephen Griffiths for his "wicked and monstrous" crimes, Judge Mr Justice Openshaw told him he would never be released from prison.

Griffiths, 40, murdered Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage and Susan Rushworth, who all worked in the red light district near his home in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

He was caught when a caretaker at the flats where he lived saw horrific CCTV footage of Ms Blamires's final moments.

When he was arrested Griffiths told police "I've killed loads" and claimed he had eaten some of Ms Blamires's flesh, adding: "That's part of the magic".

Griffiths, who pleaded guilty to the murders at Leeds Crown Court today, showed no emotion as the judge imposed the whole life tariff.

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