A man who described himself as a fan of the television series “Dexter” allegedly murdered two men he had met at a shelter in Cornwall before trying to hide their remains in woodland near his cabin, a jury has heard.

James Desborough, 40, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of murdering Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, in the summer of 2025. He denies murder, while prosecutors say both men were last seen alive in his company.

Opening the case, prosecutor Ahmed Hossain KC told jurors that police searching Paramoor Woods, near Sticker in Cornwall, found more than 1,900 burnt bone fragments in a stream close to where Desborough had been living. DNA analysis later identified the remains as belonging to Aquilino, the court heard.

The jury was also told that the remains of Coleman were found in another part of the same woodland. Hossain said the discovery carried particular significance because Desborough had previously told a forensic scientist that he “particularly enjoyed” scenes in Dexter involving the disposal of bodies.

The US television series follows Dexter Morgan, a Miami police forensic analyst who secretly leads a double life as a serial killer.

According to Sky News, the prosecutor told the court that Desborough’s comment about the series should be considered alongside the discovery of the two men’s remains in the area where he lived.

The court also heard that Desborough allegedly accessed the men’s bank accounts after they disappeared and spent their money, while giving others false explanations about where they had gone.

Coleman had previously lived with his wife, Hannah Cresswell, at Sandy Lodge shelter in Newquay before the couple separated in March 2025. Prosecutors said Desborough later began a relationship with Cresswell, leading to tensions between the two men.

Coleman was last seen on 3 June 2025 after drinking with Desborough in bars in Truro and Falmouth, the court heard. Aquilino was last seen earlier that year.

Desborough, of Old Oak Woods, Lower Sticker, is accused of murdering Aquilino between 17 April and 7 July 2025, and Coleman between 2 June and 7 July 2025.

The trial continues.