A double murder accused who was awaiting trial for allegedly killing two men and hiding their remains in Cornish woodland has been found guilty of strangling his cellmate at HMP Exeter. James Desborough, 40, is accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman, and the jury heard he was convicted of murdering Steven Kempster in prison earlier this year.
Details of the Prison Strangulation
According to prosecutor Ahmed Hossain KC, Desborough murdered Steven Kempster by compression of the neck by strangulation on September 15, 2025, while they shared a cell at HMP Exeter. The court heard that Desborough was on remand for the double murder allegations at the time.
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Background of the Double Murder Case
Desborough is accused of killing Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, and hiding parts of their bodies in dense undergrowth near his cabin close to St Austell, Cornwall. Police spent five months searching the woods, discovering burnt bone fragments believed to belong to Aquilino in a stream, and parts of Coleman's body, including his torso, legs, and feet, in a shallow grave nearby. An axe was found hanging from a tree close to the grave.
Key Evidence and Testimony
The jury heard that after killing Aquilino and Coleman, Desborough allegedly accessed their bank accounts and tried to cover his tracks by making it appear one victim had gone to London and the other was walking a long-distance trail. While chatting to a forensic biologist during the police search, Desborough said he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” in the television programme Dexter.
| Victim | Age | Details of Remains Found |
|---|---|---|
| Claudio Aquilino | 57 | Burnt bone fragments in a stream |
| Daniel Coleman | Unknown | Torso, legs, and feet in a shallow grave |
| Steven Kempster | Unknown | Strangled in prison cell |
Mental Health Context
The agreed facts read to the jury noted that both Aquilino and Coleman had suffered from mental health problems. Aquilino had been a target of intimidation and harassment that he believed to be racially motivated.
Key Takeaways
- James Desborough was convicted of murdering his cellmate Steven Kempster by strangulation at HMP Exeter.
- He is currently on trial for the double murder of Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman in Cornwall.
- Police discovered burnt bone fragments and body parts in woodland near Desborough's cabin.
- Desborough expressed enjoyment of dismemberment scenes from the TV show Dexter to a forensic biologist.
- Both victims of the double murder had mental health issues, and one faced racial harassment.
FAQ
Who is James Desborough?
James Desborough is a 40-year-old man accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman and hiding their remains in Cornish woodland. He was also found guilty of murdering his cellmate Steven Kempster at HMP Exeter.
What happened to the victims' bodies?
Burnt bone fragments believed to belong to Aquilino were found in a stream, while parts of Coleman's body, including his torso, legs, and feet, were discovered in a shallow grave near Desborough's cabin.
Why did Desborough mention the TV show Dexter?
While speaking to a forensic biologist during the police search, Desborough said he particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes in Dexter, a show about a serial killer, which was noted as evidence in the case.
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