Fan of TV serial killer Dexter ‘dismembered and burnt bodies of two men in woods’ in UK
James Desborough ‘particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes’ in the show, a court was told.
A fan of TV serial killer Dexter is accused of murdering two men, dismembering their bodies, trying to burn their remains and hide them in a British woodland before stealing their money.
James Desborough, 40, is on trial accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, in 2025.
On Wednesday, a court was told that Mr Desborough had lived with Mr Aquilino and Mr Coleman in Sandy Lodge, a shelter for homeless people and those struggling with addiction.
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Mr Coleman’s body parts, which included his legs, torso, and feet, were found in a shallow grave nearby.
The prosecution told the court: “James Desborough killed them. He dismembered their bodies, he attempted to burn their bodies, their remains and conceal what he had done”.
The court was also told that Mr Desborough’s fellow Sandy Lodge resident informed police that Mr Desborough had told him that he “particularly enjoyed the dismemberment scenes” in the crime series Dexter.
The US show follows a police forensic technician who lives a double life by committing murders and disposing of the bodies.
“That is a series which involves scenes of dismemberment and disposal of bodies,” the prosecution told the court.
“There are many, many people who are fans of the television programme Dexter but, on the behalf of the prosecution, when you consider that comment by Mr Desborough together with the fact that two dismembered bodies were found on his land, that the comment takes on particular significance.”
The prosecution also accused Mr Desborough of stealing money from his victims following their deaths.
“After each of them disappeared, their bank accounts were accessed and their money was spent by James Desborough,” the prosecutor said.
Mr Desborough denies the charges and the trial continues.
Originally published on PerthNow
