James Desborough, 40, is standing trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman and concealing parts of their bodies near his cabin in St Austell, Cornwall. On Monday, the jury heard that Desborough was convicted in March of murdering Steven Kempster, a cellmate at HMP Exeter, by strangulation while on remand for the current charges.
Details of the Cellmate Murder
In agreed facts read to the jury, prosecutor Ahmed Hossain KC stated: “On 27 March 2026 at Exeter crown court, James Desborough was convicted by a jury of the murder of Steven Kempster. The facts of this conviction are that on 15 September 2025 James Desborough murdered Steven Kempster (with whom he shared a cell at HMP Exeter, whilst on remand for the current allegations) by compression of the neck by strangulation.”
Alleged Murders of Aquilino and Coleman
The court heard that after killing Aquilino and Coleman, Desborough allegedly accessed their bank accounts and attempted to cover his tracks by making it appear that one victim had gone to London and the other was walking a long-distance trail. Police spent five months searching the woods around Desborough’s cabin, discovering burnt bone fragments believed to belong to Aquilino in a stream. Parts of Coleman’s body, including his torso, legs, and feet, were found in a shallow grave nearby, with an axe hanging from a tree close to the grave.
Desborough’s Comments to Police
Hossain told the jury that Desborough was present during some police searches and, while chatting to a forensic biologist, said he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” in the television programme Dexter, a show about a serial killer.
Victims’ Backgrounds
The jury was told that both victims had suffered from mental health problems. Aquilino, 57, had been a target of intimidation and harassment he believed to be racially motivated, and felt safer being homeless and living in a tent. In 2022, he told police he was being bullied by “scouse” dealers in Callington, Cornwall, who “make him do jobs”, stole his phone, and entered his home without permission. Coleman, 43, had suffered mental health problems after being kidnapped at age 13 and stabbed.
Shared Accommodation and Investigation
The two alleged victims and Desborough lived together for a time at accommodation in Newquay for homeless people and those with addiction problems. The prosecution alleges Aquilino and Coleman were last seen alive in Desborough’s company, and police began searching the woods in July last year. Jurors were told that the month before, Desborough had repeatedly searched for details about cosmetic surgery in Thailand and airports there. Police also investigated an email address associated with a private cosmetic surgery clinic after reviewing handwritten notes found in his cabin.
Evidence and Denial
The jury was shown images of knives, saws, and axes found in and around Desborough’s cabin, as well as a ghillie suit—a specialised camouflage suit—hanging outside his home. Desborough denies murdering Aquilino and Coleman between April and July last year but has admitted preventing their lawful burial. The trial continues.
