'Crossbow Cannibal' Stephen Griffiths goes on hunger strike (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

'Crossbow Cannibal' Stephen Griffiths goes on hunger strike

10:54am Thursday 23rd December 2010 in News

Stephen Griffiths is on hunger strike and has been placed on constant suicide watch in prison.

He is refusing food and appeared gaunt when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to the murders of three sex workers in Bradford.

In June, Griffiths was found unconscious in his cell at HMP Wakefield with a sock tied round his neck and has reportedly made other attempts to take his own life.

A Prison Service spokesman said last night: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.

“We take food refusal extremely seriously. If a prisoner chooses to refuse food for any reason, the Prison Service works with healthcare staff to monitor their physical and mental health.

“Prisoners who are considered mentally capable are entitled to refuse health interventions like force-feeding, provided they fully understand the consequences of their decision.”

Meanwhile, West York-shire’s top detective has reiterated that Stephen Griffiths would be questioned about unsolved cases if new evidence came to light.

Detective Chief Superin-tendent Andy Brennan, head of the Force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said the case of 19-year-old Bradford sex worker Rebecca Hall, known as Becky, whose naked and battered body was found in an alleyway off Thornton Street in April, 2001, was among those under review.

He said: “We have a cold case room and they are continually looking at all cases with a view to looking at whether there is anything new forensically we can use.”