James Desborough, 40, has been found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of the murders of Claudio Aquilino, 57, and Daniel Coleman, 43, whose bodies were dismembered and hidden in woodland in Cornwall last year.

The trial heard 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 his company.

After their disappearances, Desborough went on to spend their money, the jury was told.

Their bodies were dismembered in an area of Sticker Woods where Desborough lived in a cabin on land he owned, the court heard.

In the woods police discovered 1,900 burned bone fragments from the body of Mr Aquilino.

Parts of Mr Coleman’s body, including his torso, legs and feet, were found in a shallow grave nearby.