How serial killer James Desborough preyed on vulnerable homeless men
Serial Killer James Desborough Convicted of Double Murder After Extensive Woods Search
Constantvpn.com – James Desborough has been handed a whole life prison term without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of murdering two vulnerable men. The conviction came following a seven-week trial at Winchester Crown Court, where prosecutors successfully demonstrated that Desborough was responsible for the deaths of Daniel Coleman and Claudio Aquilino, both of whom had been living in Newquay.
A Pattern of Predation
Desborough initially attempted to distance himself from the crimes, insisting that both men had passed away independently through what he described as a “series of unfortunate circumstances.” However, the jury was not convinced. The court heard compelling evidence that Desborough had targeted these men, who were homeless and struggling with various personal challenges.
On the same day the verdict was delivered, authorities announced they were examining four unexplained fatalities at the homeless shelter where Desborough had previously resided. This investigation suggests the case may be even broader than initially thought.
The Final Days of Claudio Aquilino
Claudio Aquilino’s last moments were captured on CCTV on 18 April 2025, showing him inside a Newquay pub alongside his eventual killer. The following day, he made a desperate 999 call to police, expressing his fear.
“He’s really off his head. He doesn’t care… he is kamikaze.”
During that call, Aquilino told officers he wanted no involvement in what he believed was an impending crime committed by a man named James Desborough. Tragically, he was murdered approximately twelve hours after that phone call.
Aquilino had spent years battling addiction and mental health difficulties. His partner of two decades died from a drug overdose in 2018, and in subsequent years, Aquilino attempted suicide and was noted by care services as being susceptible to physical, psychological, and financial exploitation by people he knew. Despite these hardships, he maintained a close relationship with his mother in Italy, speaking with her every single day until those calls suddenly ceased.
Daniel Coleman’s Tragic End
Daniel Coleman’s story was equally heartbreaking. His younger brother, Tony Nye, remembered him as a kind, loving, and funny man who was also an exceptional singer and cook. Coleman had endured significant trauma since childhood, including being kidnapped and stabbed at age thirteen before escaping through a second-floor window.
“He would call her every day. Without fail.”
Coleman’s grandmother, who raised him, received those daily calls until they stopped. As an adult, he suffered a hit-and-run accident and multiple other assaults before eventually living at Sandy Lodge in Newquay. After losing his accommodation there, he moved to Desborough’s land near Sticker—where Aquilino would later be found.
Coleman was last seen alive on 3 June 2025 after spending the day drinking with Desborough at various pubs in Truro and Falmouth. The pair returned to Paramoor Woods by bus, and at approximately 21:00 BST, Coleman made his final phone call to his grandmother. Prosecutors believe Desborough killed him in the early hours of the following day.
The Extensive Search Operation
Investigators began searching the woodland near Desborough’s cabin in late June. The court learned that Desborough had inherited the woodland from his grandfather and had constructed the cabin himself, using a nearby stream for washing and a hollowed-out tree to store drugs. The location served as both a social space for parties and camping, and a residence for Desborough and others who had nowhere else to go.
The search, initially focused on finding Coleman, stretched beyond four months. It involved 724 individual officers who collectively dedicated 96,000 hours to the operation. During this time, prosecutors believe Aquilino had already been dead for several weeks.
Desborough told jurors he had placed Aquilino’s burnt remains on the bank of a stream, where investigators eventually discovered 1,900 bone fragments. Both men’s remains were found in close proximity within the wooded area, confirming the devastating truth that Desborough had preyed upon two vulnerable men in his care.
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