A prisoner has been charged with murder following the death of a fellow inmate at HMP Exeter. James Desborough, from Lower Sticker, Cornwall, and also an inmate at HMP Exeter, has been charged with murdering 65-year-old Steven Kempster, who was found dead in his cell on Monday morning.
Officers received a report from the prison that Mr Kempster had been discovered dead at approximately 5.40am by guards carrying out morning rounds. Former builder Desborough was being held on remand at the jail when the alleged fatal attack occurred.
Desborough spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during a brief hearing before District Judge Stuart Smith.
The judge told him: “Mr Desborough this is a matter that can only be dealt with at the crown court, and I am sending it to Exeter Crown Court.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “A 39-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of an inmate at HMP Exeter on Monday 15 September.
“James Desborough, also an inmate at HMP Exeter, has been charged with the murder of 65-year-old Steven Kempster. He is currently in police custody.
“We received a report from the prison that Mr Kempster was found deceased within his cell at around 5.40am on Monday 15 September. His next-of-kin have been informed.”
Helen Phillips from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute James Desborough for the murder of Steven Kempster.
“Our prosecutors have established that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. We have worked closely with Devon and Cornwall Police as they carried out their investigation.”
