Man guilty of murdering two men found in woods

A man has been found guilty of murdering two men he met in a homeless shelter.

James Desborough had previously admitted preventing the lawful burial in 2025 of 57-year-old Claudio Aquilino and 43-year-old Daniel Coleman.

A jury at Winchester Crown Court heard the 40-year-old, of Old Oak Woods, Lower Sticker, Cornwall, dismembered the victims' bodies, tried to burn their remains and hide them in woodland where he owns a cabin. He is due to be sentenced on Wednesday.

In March, Desborough was found guilty of murdering his cellmate at Exeter Prison while on remand for this trial. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison for that charge.

Desborough stood to listen to the verdicts with his hands behind his back.

He was wearing a grey T-shirt and glasses, and maintained a neutral expression while listening.

He was told he should "be alive" to the prospect of a whole life sentence when he is sentenced by Mr Justice Pushpinder Saini on Wednesday.

Witness impact statements will also be read out at the hearing, the court was told.

During the trial, the court heard Aquilino was last seen alive on 18 April 2025 and Coleman was last seen on 3 June 2025.

Both men were seen in the company of Desborough on pub CCTV in Newquay and Truro respectively.

Prosecutors said both men were likely killed by Desborough soon after they were last seen.

The prosecution said Desborough then dismembered their bodies, tried to burn their remains and hid them before stealing their money.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.