A man with an affinity for the TV serial killer "Dexter" strangled his prison cellmate while on trial for the murders of two other men, a court has been told. James Desborough, 40, a former construction firm boss, killed inmate Steven Kempster, 65, in his cell 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, and leaving their dismembered bodies in shallow graves in woodland in Sticker, Cornwall. He has pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of both men but denies murder.
On Wednesday, the court was informed that Desborough was convicted of Mr. Kempster's murder in March 2026. Reporting restrictions in that case were lifted on the day the jury heard the new details.
Prosecutor Ahmed Hossain KC told the court that Desborough confessed to strangling Mr. Kempster on September 15, 2025, while they shared a cell. The plea to manslaughter on the first day of the murder trial was not accepted by the prosecution.
Desborough had been in custody after being accused of killing and leaving his alleged victims in shallow graves near the cabin where he lived in the secluded woodland. Police discovered approximately 1,900 burnt bone fragments believed to be from Mr. Aquilino in Paramoor woods. A police diver also found a "piece of flesh" belonging to Mr. Aquilino in a nearby stream.
Notebooks found in Desborough's cabin contained a list of "hostiles," including Mr. Coleman, and a note stating: "I know I am a killer and ready to execute any predators." Jurors were told Desborough was a fan of the TV show "Dexter," which features a serial killer who dismembers his victims. DNA evidence was discovered on an axe found near one of the shallow graves.
The prosecution stated that Desborough attempted to burn and bury the bodies in shallow graves within a stream to conceal the killings. Mr. Aquilino's bank card was used by Desborough to travel by train to London.
The three men had met at Sandy Lodge, a shared accommodation for individuals with addiction issues in Newquay, Cornwall, where they had been housemates. Mr. Hossain told the court that after each man disappeared, Desborough accessed their bank accounts, spent their money, dismembered their bodies, attempted to burn and bury their remains, and lied to others about their whereabouts.
Desborough denies two counts of murder. The trial is ongoing.