Ohio suspect Ariel Castro held on $8m bond for rape and kidnapping charges

                    The three Castro brothers, from left Onil, Pedro and Ariel, appeared in court this morning on separate charges

An Ohio former school bus driver, accused of the kidnap and rape of three women held prisoner at his home for years, made his first court appearance on Thursday when a judge set a bond $8m .

The size of the bond means Ariel Castro, 52, is likely to remain in jail for some time. His court-appointed lawyer said he was unemployed and had little money.

His hands in cuffs, Castro bowed his head and remained silent during his arraignment at Cleveland municipal court. He avoided looking at the gallery, which was packed with media and onlookers.

Police say the ordeal of Amanda Berry, 27, Gina DeJesus, 23, and Michelle Knight, 32, ended on Monday when Berry seized a chance to break free when Castro was out of the house. Berry hammered on the front door, attracting the attention of passers-by who helped her escape. She emerged with a six-year-old daughter, and made a now-famous 911 call in which she alerted the authorities.

I have thought about this event over and over again. I do not seem to be able to comprehend his goal at the start.