Jurors told man accused of two murders in Cornwall killed cellmate while awaiting trial
James Desborough, 40, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of murdering two men last summer
A man who is accused of murdering two men in Cornwall has previously been convicted of the murder of his prison cellmate, a jury has been told.
James Desborough, 40, strangled Steven Kempster who he shared a cell with at HMP Exeter on September 15 last year (2025).
Jurors at Winchester Crown Court heard on Monday (20th July) that Desborough was on remand at the time over the current allegations he faces.
Ahmed Hossain KC, prosecuting, told jurors Desborough was convicted by a jury of Mr Kempster’s murder on March 27 at Exeter Crown Court.
On March 16, the first day of that trial, he had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which was not accepted by the prosecution.
Desborough is currently on trial accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, last summer in Cornwall.
The jury has previously been told that Mr Coleman and Mr Aquilino had met Desborough while living together at a hostel for the homeless in Newquay.
The last time they were both seen alive was in the company of the defendant.
Their bodies were dismembered and burnt in an area of Sticker Woods where Desborough lived in a cabin.
In the woods police discovered 1,900 burned bone fragments believed to be from the body of Mr Aquilino.
Parts of Mr Coleman’s dismembered body, including his torso, legs and feet, were found in a shallow grave nearby.
The defendant, of Old Oak Woods, Lower Sticker, Cornwall, denies two charges of murder.
He has previously pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of the two men’s bodies.
The trial continues.