Fan of TV show Dexter dismembered and burnt bodies of two men in Cornish woods, court told
A fan of TV serial killer Dexter murdered two men he met at a homeless shelter, then dismembered their bodies in a Cornish woodland and proceeded to steal their money, a court heard.
James Desborough is accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, between April 17 and July 7 last year, and Daniel Coleman, 43, between June 2 and July 7 last year.
He had previously pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of the bodies of two men, Winchester Crown Court was told.
Prosecutor Ahmed Hossain KC told the court police found 1,900 burnt bone fragments believed to be from Mr Aquilino’s body at Paramoor Woods, Stick, where Desborough lived in a cabin.
Parts of Mr. Coleman’s dismembered body, including his torso, legs and feet, were found in a nearby shallow grave, the prosecutor said.
Mr Hossain said: “In 2025 James Desborough murdered Daniel Coleman and Claudio Aquilino.
“Parts of their dismembered bodies were found by police search teams and scientists while searching the woodland where James Desborough lived.
“This area was called Paramoor Forest, near a village called Stick in Cornwall.
“Both of these men, Daniel Coleman and Claudio Aquilino, lived with Mr Desborough at a place called Sandy Lodge in Newquay, where many people lived.
“This place often housed people who were homeless or had addiction issues and these two men were last seen alive alongside James Desborough.
“After each of them disappeared, their bank accounts were accessed and their money spent by James Desborough.
“He killed them, dismembered their bodies, tried to burn and bury their bodies to hide what he had done, and then used their money while also lying to those around him about where they were going.”
Mr Hossain said Sandy Lodge resident Craig Cudmore told police that Desborough had told him that he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” in the television show Dexter.
The prosecutor said: “This is a series of scenes where bodies are dismembered and disposed of.
“There are many people who are fans of the television program Dexter, but when you consider this comment by Mr Desborough, on behalf of the prosecution, together with the fact that two dismembered bodies were found on his land, it takes on particular significance.”
Sitting in the dock wearing a gray T-shirt, beard and glasses, the defendant, of Old Oak Woods, Lower Label, Cornwall, denies the charges and the hearing continues.
