Danny Cahalane’s ex-wife Paris Wilson, 35, has gone on trial with nine others after Danny died weeks after he was attacked with sulphuric acid at his home last February
A mum allegedly murdered 38-year-old her ex-husband in an acid attack after his boss ordered a hit over his £120,000 drug debt, a court heard.
In the early hours of February 21 last year, jurors heard two men broke into dad-of-two Danny Cahalane’s home in Plymouth, Devon. During the horror attack Danny was covered with sulphuric acid leaving him with severe chemical burns.
He was rushed to hospital for treatment and though he survived the initial attack he died ten weeks later on May 3, 2025 from his “horrific” injuries. His ex-wife Paris Wilson, 35, has gone on trial with nine others over the horror including co-accused Jenna Said, 39.
The court heard that prio to his death Danny was “middle management” in a large drug-dealing operation and owed £120,000 to Ryan Kennedy – known as Frost – reports The Sun.
Prosecutor Joanne Martin KC said: “Danny told police he also gambled with the profits, including money that should have gone back to Frost. That left, in Danny’s words, Danny in the s***. He told police he was in significant debt and he tried to organise a repayment plan but it didn’t work.”
The court heard how just weeks before Danny was attacked, Kennedy messaged Danny telling him: “You’re gonna die, you just need to die. You’ve done me £80k. I’m going to give them 40k extra to take the eyes out of your head.” Kennedy allegedly continued to send threatening messages Danny.
The prosecutor said Kennedy then organised a kidnap attempt on Danny January 19 2025. After that plan failed, Kennedy messaged him saying: “Close call? Mate I’m telling you they gonna burn gaffes down and your gonna die”.
Ms Martin said: “There can be no doubt that Mr Cahalane was murdered, whoever threw acid over him must have intended to at the very least cause him really serious bodily harm.”
The ten people who face trial are:
- Paris Wilson, 34, from The Quay, Plymouth – Mr Cahalane’s former partner – is charged with murder. She is also charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, attempted kidnap, attempt grievous bodily harm with intent and manslaughter.
- Israel Augustus, 25, from Tottenham, London, is charged with murder. He is also charged with manslaughter and participating in an organised crime group.
- Jude Hill, 43, of Wantage Gardens in Plymouth, has been charged with murder and manslaughter.
- Isanah Sungum, 21, from Edmonton, London, is charged with murder, manslaughter and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.
- Jenna Said, 39, from Ernesettle Greet, Plymouth, is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.
- Jean Mukuna, 23, from Camden, London, is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, attempted kidnapping and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Arrone Mukuna, 24, from Camden, London, is charged with participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, attempted kidnapping and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja, 22, from Neasden, London, who is charged with murder. He is also charged with manslaughter, participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, attempted kidnapping and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 22, from Islington, London, is charged with murder. He is also charged with manslaughter, participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, attempted kidnapping and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Brian Kalemba, 22, from Barking, London, is charged with murder. He is further charged with manslaughter and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.
All ten defendants deny the charges.
The trial continues.
