James Desborough, 40, is accused of killing Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman and concealing parts of their bodies in dense undergrowth near his cabin in St Austell, Cornwall. While awaiting trial for those murders, he strangled his cellmate at HMP Exeter, a jury has heard.
On Monday at Winchester Crown Court, the jury was told that in March 2026, Desborough was found guilty of murdering Steven Kempster. Ahmed Hossain KC, prosecuting, presented agreed facts: “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.”
Details of the Alleged Murders
After killing Aquilino and Coleman, Desborough allegedly accessed their bank accounts and tried to cover his tracks by making it appear that one 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. An axe hung from a tree close to the grave.
Hossain told the jury that Desborough was present during police searches and, while chatting to a forensic biologist, said he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” in the television programme Dexter.
Background of the Victims
Both victims suffered from mental health problems. Aquilino, 57, had been a target of intimidation and harassment he believed to be racially motivated, feeling safer 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. Coleman, 43, suffered mental health problems after being kidnapped at age 13 and stabbed.
Living Arrangements and Investigation
The two alleged victims and Desborough lived together for a time in Newquay accommodation for homeless people and those with addiction problems. The prosecution alleges that Aquilino and Coleman were last seen alive in Desborough’s company, and police began searching the woods in July 2025. 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.
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 2025. He has admitted preventing their lawful burial. The trial continues.
