James Desborough, 40, was convicted in March of strangling his cellmate, Steven Kempster, 65, at HMP Exeter in Devon in September 2025. Desborough is currently on trial at Winchester Crown Court, accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43.
Prosecutors allege that Desborough killed Aquilino and Coleman in the summer of 2025, dismembered their bodies, and attempted to burn and bury their remains in shallow graves in woodland near his cabin in Sticker, Cornwall. He has pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of both men but denies murder.
During the current trial, jurors were told that Desborough was a fan of the television series 'Dexter,' which features a serial killer who dismembers his victims. A notebook found in Desborough's cabin contained a list of "hostiles" that included Coleman's name, along with a note stating, "I know I am a killer and ready to execute any predators."
Evidence presented to the court included approximately 1,900 burnt bone fragments believed to be from Aquilino found in Paramoor woods, and a police diver recovering a piece of flesh belonging to Aquilino from a stream. DNA was also reportedly discovered on an axe found near one of the shallow graves.
Prosecutors stated that Desborough accessed the bank accounts of Aquilino and Coleman after they disappeared, spending their money. A fellow resident of a shared accommodation block for individuals with addiction issues in Newquay, Cornwall, where the three men had met and lived as housemates, told police that Desborough had commented on "particularly enjoying the dismemberment scenes" in 'Dexter.'
Desborough, formerly a construction firm boss, denies two counts of murder. The trial is ongoing.