Child-size coffin for remains of murdered prostitute

The funeral for Ms Armitage was the first of the alleged victims of suspected triple killer Stephen Griffiths, 40, who referred to himself as the "Crossbow Cannibal" when he appeared before magistrates in June.

Mourners fell silent as a horse-drawn hearse arrived bearing the child-size coffin, a grim reminder that only a tiny fragment of her body has been found.

The coffin was carried into St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Eccleshill, Bradford, by her brother Carl Armitage and an hour later carried out again by her boyfriend Craig Preston.

Around 300 mourners, some of them carrying single white roses, gathered for the ceremony, close to where Ms Armitage used to live.

Ms Armitage, who was 31, had worked as a prostitute in Bradford and went missing on April 26 this year.

A small piece of tissue, later identified by forensic scientists as belonging to her, was later discovered by police search teams in the river Aire at Shipley, near Bradford.

Detectives leading the investigation into her death told a coroner last month that they were satisfied that Ms Armitage was dead, even though her body has yet to be found.

Her alleged killer is also charged with murdering two other Bradford prostitutes, Suzanne Blamires and Susan Rushworth.

Body parts belonging to Mrs Blamires were found in the River Aire in May but Susan Rushworth's body has not been found.

At yesterday morning's funeral, floral tributes from family and friends were placed in the black carriage, which stood in front of the church's entrance, and in a hearse waiting at the roadside.

The words "Shelley" and "Sister" were spelled out in large white flowers.

Floral tributes placed in the hearse contained cards with tributes to the young woman.

One card said: "To a beautiful niece. Your memory lives on in my heart. Love Auntie Anne."

Another said: "To a beautiful niece, Shelley-Marie. You are so sadly missed. You're with your family now who will take care of you. Good night, God bless. Auntie Pam, Dean and Scott."

Another said: "To a dear cousin. Deep in our hearts you'll always stay. Loved and missed every day. Love Stephen, Darren, Adele, Yvette and families."

The service consisted of several hymns including The Lord's My Shepherd. A schoolfriend of Ms Armitage broke down as she read a eulogy.

A poem by Joanna Fuchs called A Better Place was read and contained the lines: "She's in a better place right now, Than she's ever been before; All the pain is gone she's now at rest; Nothing troubles her anymore."

The order of service for the requiem mass included the poem and said that Ms Armitage had been "reunited with her beloved grandparents, the late John and Nora Moore and Catherine and Edward Armitage."

The order of service gave her date of death as April 26 this year – the day she went missing.

The service ended as the casket was carried from the church by Ms Armitage's partner Craig Preston, with family and friends gathered around the carriage The procession made its way to Rawdon Crematorium.

Shortly after her remains were discovered, Ms Armitage's family said: "She was loving and kind even when her life changed. She cared and helped everyone, especially the girls on the streets."

After the service, parish priest Father Pat Wall said: "This is a very difficult time for the Armitage family. We at the parish of Our Lady of St Francis are keeping all Shelley's family and friends in our prayers and they can be assured of our loving support in the coming days."

Stephen Griffiths, 40, of Bradford, who is charged with the murders of three sex workers, is due to appear in court again on October 15.

The funeral of Suzanne Blamires, 36, of Allerton, Bradford, takes place next week.