Bradford murders: Police stunned as Griffiths breaks his silence

More on the Bradford killings, with video

Moments earlier, as Griffiths was taken into the dock, the chatter in the packed public gallery stopped instantly as he stood, making no contact with those staring at him.

As he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass panel separating him from the court, one of the three security guards checked the door leading out of the dock was locked.

One young man remained standing in the public gallery, about 20ft from the defendant, staring at him until he was gently persuaded to sit by a gesture from a police officer.

Griffiths kept touching the back of his head and then put his hands together in a prayer-like gesture as the proceedings got under way.

The clerk said to him: "Can you give the court your name, please?"

There were stunned looks all round the court when Griffiths touched his head again and said: "The crossbow cannibal."

Someone in the public gallery gasped.

The clerk then moved on to ask the defendant his address and he announced: "Erm...here, I guess."

After a short pause District Judge Susan Bouch said: "Can we check Mr Griffiths's date of birth?" and the reply came back from the clerk, December 24, 1969.

"Is that your date of birth?" she asked Griffiths.

"Yes," he replied almost inaudibly.

Griffiths did not say anything else for the remainder of the three-minute long hearing.

Dressed in black military-style shirt with white T-shirt underneath, he sat down for part of the proceedings, bowing his head and looking at the floor.

He was also wearing navy blue jeans and sporting stubble and short, black hair.

There were about 40 people in court, including eight members of the families of Griffiths's alleged victims.

Every seat was taken, with some journalists and detectives forced to stand at the back of the room.

At one point Griffiths appeared to stare at the back of the court where the media were seated.

After a short discussion between the lawyers and the district judge, Griffiths was handcuffed and led out through the back door of the dock.