James Desborough, 40, a convicted killer, has denied murdering two friends whose burnt and dismembered remains were found near his woodland cabin in Cornwall. He told Winchester Crown Court that he discovered the bodies on his land and disposed of them while under the influence of drugs.
Details of the Discovery
Desborough claimed he found Claudio Aquilino, 57, hanging from a tree and Daniel Coleman, 43, lying naked in a stream. He admitted to disposing of their remains in dense undergrowth near his cabin in St Austell. He stated, “I had lost all concept of reality. I can’t remember what I was thinking. I made some bad decisions.”
Background and Drug Use
Desborough, an unemployed civil engineer, described himself as homeless and suffering from addiction problems. He said he, Aquilino, and Coleman had lived at a hostel in Newquay before moving to the cabin in early summer 2025. He alleged that Aquilino was paranoid and feared being killed.
Account of Deaths
Desborough told the jury that he found Aquilino hanging from a tree one day and, in shock, disposed of the body in a stream. Later that summer, he discovered Coleman’s naked body in the same stream. He admitted using a hatchet to cut up Coleman’s body, saying he felt “numb” by then. He denied knowing how Coleman died.
Prosecution Claims
Prosecutor Ahmed Hossain KC suggested Desborough got a thrill from killing, noting he had also killed a cellmate while in prison awaiting trial for these murders. Desborough said that killing was “out of character” and rejected the idea that he killed the cellmate for snoring. He also denied that a note found by police reading “I’m a killer and ready to execute any predators” referred to himself, calling it “creative writing” about a character.
Financial Motive
Desborough admitted taking money from Aquilino and Coleman after their deaths, likely spending it on “beer and drugs.” He continues to deny murder charges but admits concealing the bodies. The trial continues.
