Man who lived in cabin in woods murdered two men before dismembering their bodies, court told

Man who lived in cabin in woods murdered two men before dismembering their bodies, court told James Desborough, 40, is on trial for the murders of Daniel Coleman and Claudio Aquilino, whose dismembered bodies were found in Paramoor Woods near Sticker, Cornwall A man living in a woodland cabin in Cornwall murdered two men and dismembered their bodies before attempting to burn and bury their remains to cover his tracks, a court has heard. James Desborough, of Old Oak Woods, Lower Sticker, is on trial for the murder of 43-year-old Daniel Coleman from St Austell, believed to have taken place between 2 June 2025 and 7 July 2025. Desborough, aged 40, also faces charges of murdering Claudio Aquilino, allegedly killed between 17 April 2025 and 7 July 2025. Prosecutor Ahmed Hossain KC told jurors at Winchester Crown Court this morning that fragments of the dismembered bodies were recovered by police search teams and forensic scientists during a search of woodland known as Paramoor Woods near Sticker, where Desborough resided in a cabin. Outlining the case, he explained that both men had previously lived alongside Desborough at Sandy Lodge, a multi-occupancy property in Newquay, as described in court, reports Cornwall Live. Mr Hossain told the court that the property housed individuals who were frequently homeless and struggling with substance addictions, adding that both men were last seen alive in Desborough's company. He informed the jury that following each man's disappearance, Desborough gained access to their bank accounts and used their money at various locations, including a Post Office in Sticker, as well as a train journey to Paddington rail station in London. Mr Hossain KC told the court that Desborough had already pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of both Mr Coleman and Mr Aquilino, but had denied the murders, answering 'no comment' in police interviews. The jury heard that Mr Aquilino, despite battling addiction and having little money or stability in his life, would ring relatives in Italy on an almost daily basis. He was, however, evicted from Sandy Lodge on April 11 after stealing another resident's mobile phone. Desborough had also been living at the property and had left just three days before Mr Aquilino. The court was told that on April 17, 2025, Mr Aquilino spoke to a police officer on foot patrol in Newquay. At around 9.52pm he rang the police. The jury was told that Mr Aquilino was "frightened" and was calling the police because he was "trying to avoid becoming involved in a crime" with Desborough. He told officers that Desborough had obtained a crowbar and an axe, and was planning to cause damage to a hotel. He explained that Desborough had instructed him to meet him, describing Desborough as "really off his head" and "kamikaze", and making clear he wanted no part in the plan. The following day, April 18, 2025, proved to be the last time Mr Aquilino was seen alive. He was spotted at a Newquay pub alongside Desborough, where he sold his mobile phone to another man. From that point, all calls to his relatives stoped — while Desborough's phone appeared to have been switched off between April 16 and April 22, something the prosecution alleged was no coincidence. Financial investigators scrutinising Mr Aquilino's bank account observed that before April 18, his account activity, DWP income and spending followed a recognised pattern. Desborough, who appeared in the dock dressed in a grey T-shirt, sporting a beard and glasses, denies all charges, and the trial is ongoing.