Key facts
- James Desborough has been convicted of murdering Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman.
- The dismembered and burnt remains of Aquilino and Coleman were discovered in woodland.
- Desborough also murdered his cellmate, Steven Kempster, while awaiting trial.
- He is already serving a life sentence for the prison killing.
- Acquaintances described Desborough as a control freak with a terrible temper.
- Desborough used his victims' bank cards after their deaths.
James Desborough has been convicted of murdering two vulnerable friends, Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman, whose dismembered and burnt bodies were found in woodland in Cornwall. He also murdered his cellmate, Steven Kempster, while awaiting trial in Exeter prison. Desborough, 40, is already serving a life sentence for the prison killing and faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Acquaintances described Desborough as a control freak with a terrible temper, who was furious at what he perceived as his bad luck in life. A former civil engineer and father, he had fallen on hard times. The exact catalyst for his violence remains unclear, though he used his victims' bank cards after their deaths. The prosecutor suggested Desborough may have killed them because he considered them worthless due to their troubled lifestyles.
The trial highlighted deep-rooted social issues in Cornwall, including homelessness and addiction, with Desborough, Aquilino, and Coleman having met in a hostel for homeless people. Aquilino, 57, was struggling with hard drugs and depression, and was subjected to 'cuckooing' by dealers. Coleman, 43, battled alcohol abuse and PTSD following a childhood kidnapping and stabbing.
Police were alerted when Coleman was reported missing, having last been seen with Desborough. A large-scale search, codenamed Operation Honeyfall, eventually uncovered the remains of Aquilino and Coleman in Paramoor Woods. Desborough, who had built a shack on land inherited from his grandfather in the woods, was found to have been growing cannabis and hiding drugs there. During the search, Desborough reportedly showed interest in the investigation, even commenting on dismemberment scenes from the show 'Dexter'.
Notes found by police suggested Desborough may have planned to undergo plastic surgery, change his appearance, and flee the UK. He was also found to have purchased goods and services, including a roast beef dinner, using his victims' bank cards shortly after their deaths. During his trial, Desborough claimed to have found the bodies in unfortunate circumstances, while admitting to burning and hiding them while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He had also written notes indicating a willingness to kill and referring to others as 'muppets'.