Dexter fan accused of double murder wrote ‘I’m a killer’, trial told
James Desborough denies murdering Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman
A fan of TV serial killer Dexter who is accused of murdering two men described himself as a killer and was “ready to execute any predators”, a court has heard.
James Desborough, 40, also wrote notes including one headed “Bug out list” and another titled “Hostiles”.
Desborough is accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, last year in Cornwall.
The men had previously lived with Desborough at a hostel for the homeless in Newquay, and 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.
Winchester Crown Court heard that after Desborough was arrested on suspicion of murdering Mr Coleman a search was carried out of his cabin where the notes were found.
In neat handwriting, Desborough describes the earth as a “flat game board”.
“I’ve travelled and feel I have remembered knowledge from a previous life, I’m an echo in time constantly repeating,” he wrote.
“I know what I am and what skills and training I have had.
“Returning once again from the great war, I know what the polar opposite of what myself is.
“I know I’m a killer, ready to kill and execute any predators. The path I have travelled gave me the depth.
“Pulled out of the system yet again to become a cog in a familiar machine, I know which agency has a keen eye for human with the abilities and skills I have.
“I’ve pushed myself both mentally and physically through adversity, through the darkness.”
Ahmed Hossain KC, prosecuting, told the court that among more than a dozen other notes was one that said “Take care of the remaining muppets”, with Mr Coleman’s name also listed.
Desborough also wrote of “detailed travel plans and intent to leave the UK” with mentions of a “shuffle bag liner”, “bodies buried”, “new disguise”, “new burner phone” and “safe house”.
The safe house note was a list of items, including logs, coal and batteries, as well as “always leave some booze, tobacco and weed”.
Mr Hossain told the court that Desborough also drew a series of concentric circles with Sticker Woods in the centre, and London and Benidorm listed at the outer point, which was entitled “Kill Zone”, and the sub-heading of “Operational spheres”.
He said the travel plans stated an intention to leave the UK on July 15 2025.
The prosecutor earlier told the jury: “We believe these were all written by Mr Desborough.”
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.