James Desborough has been found guilty of murdering two men, Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, whose bodies were discovered in woodland. Desborough, 40, had previously admitted to preventing the lawful burial of the two victims in 2025.
A jury at Winchester Crown Court heard evidence that Desborough dismembered the victims' bodies, attempted to burn the remains, and hid them on property he owns in Cornwall. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday.
During the trial, it was revealed that Desborough was also found guilty in March of murdering his cellmate at Exeter Prison while awaiting trial for the current charges. For that offense, he received a 19-year prison sentence.
Desborough stood expressionless as the verdicts were delivered in court, wearing a grey T-shirt and glasses. The judge, Mr Justice Pushpinder Saini, indicated that Desborough should be prepared for the possibility of a whole life sentence when he is sentenced. Witness impact statements are also expected to be read at the hearing.