Case closed against missing city vice girl

Miss Armitage, whom mature student Stephen Shaun Griffiths is accused of murdering, was due to be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court for assaulting a police officer.

Tests confirmed that a small piece of human tissue found in the River Aire, in Shipley, belonged to Miss Armitage.

The 31-year-old was known to have drink and drugs problems and had been classed as a missing person.

Miss Armitage, of the Allerton area of Bradford, was last seen on Rebecca Street in the city centre on April 26.

She was spotted on closed circuit TV walking a short distance along a street before turning around and retracing her steps.

Judge John Potter, sitting at Bradford Crown Court, yesterday

discharged the case during a three-minute mention hearing.

Jonathan Devlin, prosecuting, who asked for the case to be discharged, said: "Your honour knows that her remains have been found and there is an ongoing case in relation to her death."

Stephen Griffiths, 40, who has previously referred to himself in court as "the crossbow cannibal", has been charged with the murder of Miss Armitage and fellow sex workers Suzanne Blamires, 36, and Susan Rushworth, 43.

Body parts found in the River Aire on May 25 were later found to be those of Suzanne Blamires. The body of Susan Rushworth, who went missing a year ago, has not yet been found.

Griffiths, of Holmfield Court, Thornton Road, Bradford, who was reported to have made a suicide attempt earlier this week, has been remanded in custody at Wakefield Prison and he is next due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on July 16.