James Desborough, a former builder, has been sentenced to two whole-life orders for the murders of Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, in Cornwall last year. Desborough, 40, is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his cellmate, Steven Kempster, 65, whom he killed while awaiting trial on the Cornwall murders.

In passing sentence, Mr Justice Saini emphasized that Desborough would never be released. The judge characterized Desborough as a highly dangerous individual with no remorse for his actions, highlighting the extreme violence involved in the killings and his lack of regard for human life.

Desborough and the two victims had resided together at Sandy Lodge Hotel in Newquay, a hostel that accommodates homeless individuals and those grappling with addictions. Aquilino and Coleman, both long-term addicts, disappeared while living at the hostel between December 2024 and April 2025. Authorities noted that the last time both men were seen alive was in Desborough’s company.

Following their disappearances, Desborough reportedly spent Aquilino and Coleman's money on drugs and alcohol and claimed they had both left Cornwall. Investigators later discovered dismembered remains in Sticker Woods near St Austell, where Desborough had been living in a wooden cabin. Around 1,900 burned bone fragments identified as belonging to Aquilino were found in a stream, while parts of Coleman’s body, including his torso, legs, and feet, were located in a shallow grave nearby. Some of Coleman’s body parts were missing, including his genitals, raising suspicions of deliberate removal.

Prosecutors suggested that jealousy may have motivated the murders, noting Desborough’s animosity toward Coleman, who had developed a sexual interest in Desborough’s friend’s ex-wife, Hannah Creswell. During the investigation, Desborough told a forensic biologist involved in the search that he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” from the television series Dexter.

Police also uncovered handwritten notes in Desborough’s cabin, including lists titled “Bug out list” and “Hostiles,” indicating premeditation. Authorities believe Desborough planned to flee the UK before his arrest.

Desborough, a father of one, denied the murders at trial, attributing the deaths to a “series of unfortunate circumstances.” In response to these claims, the court rejected his defense, sentencing him to whole-life orders reflecting the severity of his crimes and his ongoing threat to public safety.

In light of Aquilino and Coleman’s deaths, police are reviewing the circumstances of four other recent deaths at Sandy Lodge Hotel involving two men and two women, which occurred during the time Desborough lived there. Investigations continue to determine if Desborough had involvement in these cases.