Fan of TV serial killer Dexter dismembered bodies of two men and burnt their bodies in woods, court hears

A man who said he "particularly enjoyed" the dismemberment scenes in the TV programme Dexter murdered two men he met at a homeless shelter before dismembering and burning their bodies, a court heard.

James Desborough is accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, between 17 April and 7 July last year, and Daniel Coleman, 43, between 2 June and 7 July the same year.

He previously pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of the two men's bodies, Winchester Crown Court was told.

Police discovered 1,900 burned bone fragments believed to be from the body of Mr Aquilino in Paramoor Woods, near Sticker in Cornwall, where Desborough lived in a cabin, the jury heard.

Parts of Mr Coleman's dismembered body, including his torso, legs and feet, were found in a shallow grave nearby, the prosecutor said.

Ahmed Hossain KC also told jurors that Desborough went on to steal their money.

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 when searching an area of woodland which was where James Desborough lived."

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He added: "Both of these men had lived with Mr Desborough...and these two men were last seen alive in the company of James Desborough.

"After each of them disappeared, their bank accounts were accessed and their money was spent by James Desborough.

"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."

Mr Hossain said Desborough told a forensic biologist in the woods he "particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes" in the TV programme Dexter, about a police ballistics expert who lives a double life committing murders and disposing of the bodies around Miami.

The prosecutor added: "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, on the behalf of the prosecution, 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."

Mr Hossain said Mr Coleman had lived with his wife, Hannah Cresswell, at Sandy Lodge shelter in Newquay until March 2025 when they split.

He added that Desborough had become involved in a relationship with Ms Cresswell which had led to arguments between the pair.

Mr Coleman was last seen alive on June 3 when he had been drinking at a number of pubs with the defendant in Truro and Falmouth, the prosecution said.

Desborough, of Lower Sticker, Cornwall, denies the charges. The trial continues.

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