A serial killer who murdered two homeless men, dismembered their bodies and hid them in woodland in Cornwall has been given a whole life order. James Desborough, 40, killed Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, before dismembering and concealing their bodies last year. The former builder is already serving a life sentence for murdering his cellmate at HMP Exeter, Steven Kempster, whom he strangled to death while awaiting trial for these offences.
Guilty verdicts and sentencing
A jury at Winchester Crown Court returned unanimous guilty verdicts on Tuesday (July 28) following three hours and 15 minutes of deliberation. Desborough was given two whole life orders by Mr Justice Saini on Wednesday afternoon (29 July). Passing sentence, Mr Justice Saini said the 40-year-old will never be released.
"You are now aged 40. I cannot, of course, resentence you for the murder of Mr Kempster, but given you are already subject to a life sentence with a minimum term as I have specified, my concurrent sentences for the murder of Claudio and Daniel must reflect your overall criminality," the judge said. "Having seen and heard you give evidence, and considering the circumstances in which you murdered Mr Kempster, I am sure that you are a highly dangerous individual who has no regard for the lives of people who you think are worthless. You are a person who can kill in extreme violence, with no remorse or indeed reflection on your actions."
Background of the crimes
During the five-week trial, the court heard that Mr Aquilino and Mr Coleman had previously resided with Desborough at a homeless hostel, and were last seen alive in his company. Following their disappearances, the powerfully-built Desborough, who stands at 5ft 10in and weighs nearly 18st, proceeded to spend their money on drugs and alcohol. Their bodies were dismembered at Sticker Woods, near St Austell, where Desborough had been living in a wooden cabin. At this location, police uncovered 1,900 burned bone fragments from Mr Aquilino's body, deposited in a nearby stream. Parts of Mr Coleman's body, including his torso, legs and feet, were recovered from a shallow grave in the vicinity.
Motive and disturbing details
Prosecutors said Desborough was jealous of Mr Coleman because he had developed a sexual interest in his friend's ex-wife, Hannah Creswell. Desborough informed a forensic biologist searching the woodland for Mr Coleman's remains that he "particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes" in the television programme Dexter. Police found several handwritten notes inside Desborough’s cabin, including one headed: "Bug out list" and another: "Hostiles". He had also made plans to leave the UK weeks before he was arrested.
Amongst the documents was a note stating: "I know I am a killer and ready to execute any predators" and another reading: "Take care of the remaining muppets," which also included Mr Coleman's name. Desborough had additionally sketched a series of concentric circles with Sticker Woods at the centre, and London and Benidorm marked at the outer edge, which bore the title: "Kill Zone", with the sub-heading: "Operational spheres".
Defence rejected
The father-of-one denied both murders and told the jury it was a "series of unfortunate circumstances" the two men died on his land within a short space of time. He accepted then spending their money on beer and drugs, but told jurors: "They were friends, I got on well with them."
