James Desborough convicted of two further Cornwall murders
James Desborough, a 40-year-old already jailed for life for killing his Exeter Prison cellmate, has been convicted at Winchester Crown Court of murdering friends Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman. Their dismembered, burnt remains were found in Cornwall woodland near a shack he owned. He faces sentencing that could include a whole-life term.
Key Takeaways
- James Desborough was found guilty of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, after meeting them in a Newquay homeless hostel.
- Police recovered more than 1,900 burnt bone fragments and charred body parts in woodland near his Cornwall shack.
- He is already serving life for strangling cellmate Steven Kempster while on remand and may face a whole-life order on Wednesday.
- Acquaintances called him a control freak; notes suggested he planned further violence and an escape abroad.
The jury’s verdicts place Bizarre World attention on a case that began with two missing vulnerable men and ended with three proven murders. According to The Guardian, Desborough may never be released if a whole-life tariff is imposed.
Who were the victims and how were they killed?
Aquilino was last seen alive on 18 April 2025 and Coleman on 3 June 2025, both drinking with Desborough. Prosecutors said both were likely killed soon after those sightings. Experts could not determine the causes of death because of the state of the remains.
Aquilino had been taking hard drugs, suffering depression and subjected to cuckooing. Coleman abused alcohol, had cirrhosis and PTSD after being kidnapped and stabbed at 13. Det Supt Rachael Bentley of Devon and Cornwall Police called the killings callous and cold-blooded, saying both men trusted Desborough as a friend.
Where were the bodies found and what did the search uncover?
Remains were discovered in Paramoor Woods near Sticker, Cornwall, close to a cabin Desborough built on land inherited from his grandfather. Operation Honeyfall involved more than 700 officers and specialists from several forces over about five months.
Aquilino’s remains appeared as more than 1,900 burnt bone fragments in a stream. Coleman’s charred body parts lay in a shallow grave near a hatchet. Desborough admitted preventing lawful burial in 2025 but denied murder, claiming he found and then burned and hid the bodies while high on ketamine and drinking tequila.
Why does a third murder change what happens next?
While awaiting this trial, Desborough strangled 65-year-old cellmate Steven Kempster in Exeter Prison in September 2025 and received a 19-year term for that murder. Mr Justice Pushpinder Saini will sentence him on Wednesday and warned he should be alive to the prospect of a whole-life sentence.
Police found notes suggesting plastic surgery, flight from the UK and further killings, including lines such as “I’m a killer and ready to execute any predators.” He had used the victims’ bank cards, including buying a roast beef dinner soon after dismembering Coleman. Families of both woodland victims thanked investigators and described profound grief at the violence and disposal of the bodies.