The body of Claudio Aquilino, 57, was found in dense undergrowth. Photograph: Devon and Cornwall Police/PAView image in fullscreenThe body of Claudio Aquilino, 57, was found in dense undergrowth. Photograph: Devon and Cornwall Police/PAFan of TV show Dexter killed and dismembered two men in Cornish woodland, jury hearsJames Desborough told team searching for missing men he enjoyed gory scenes in serial killer series, prosecution says
A fan of the television serial killer show Dexter murdered two men before dismembering and burning their bodies in Cornish woodland surrounding the cabin where he lived, a jury has heard.
James Desborough, 40, allegedly killed Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman and hid their bodies in the dense undergrowth close to his cabin near St Austell.
View image in fullscreenDaniel Coleman. Photograph: Devon and Cornwall police/PAAfter killing them, he accessed their bank accounts and tried to cover his tracks by making it appear that one had gone to London and the other was walking a long-distance trail, Winchester crown court was told.
Police took five months to search the woods around Desborough’s cabin, discovering 1,900 burned bone fragments believed to have come the body of Aquilino, in a stream, the court heard.
Parts of Coleman’s dismembered body, including his torso, legs and feet, were found in a shallow grave nearby. An axe hung from a tree close to the grave.
Ahmed Hossain KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Desborough was present at times when police searched the woods and while chatting to a forensic biologist involved in the operation said he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” in the programme Dexter.
View image in fullscreenPhoto issued by police of an axe found during searches of Cornish woodland. Photograph: Devon and Cornwall police/PAHossain said: “That is a series which involves scenes of dismemberment and disposal of bodies. There are many, many people who are fans of the television programme Dexter but when you consider that comment by Mr Desborough together with the fact that two dismembered bodies were found on his land, that the comment takes on a particular significance.”
When police searched his cabin, they found a note in Desborough’s handwriting in which he said: “I know I am a killer and ready to execute any predators”, the court heard.
They also discovered notes suggesting he was planning to buy a “ghillie suit” – a specialised camouflage garment and find a way to leave the UK. Notes also mentioned “bodies buried”, “new burner phone” and “safe house”.
Desborough denied murdering the two men between April and July last year but the jury heard he had admitted preventing their lawful burial.
Hossain said the alleged killer and his victims got to know each other when they spent time at a residence for homeless people and people with addiction issues in the Cornish resort of Newquay.
The prosecution said Aquilino, 57, and Coleman, 43, were last seen alive in the company of Desborough.
Hossain said: “He killed them, he dismembered their bodies, he attempted to burn and bury their remains to conceal what he had done, and then used their money whilst at the same time lying to those around him about where they had gone.”
The prosecutor said a substantial cleaver or axe may have been used to carry out the dismemberments and the scientific evidence suggested it had not been done in a frenzied or panicked way but was deliberate and precise.
Police began searching the woods in July last year after Coleman was reported missing. The operation took until October.
Before his arrest, Desborough allegedly faked a note purporting to have been written by Coleman in which he said he was setting off on the Saints’ Way, a walking trail in Cornwall.
Hossain said Desborough believed Coleman was aggressive towards a woman he himself had a romantic interest in. After allegedly killing him, he messaged the woman: “I can’t help but protect woman and children.”
The prosecution claims that Desborough went to London on the train, using Aquilino’s bank card, which the prosecution claims was a ploy make it appear the dead man had gone to the capital and vanished from there.
