Man doused in acid after ex-wife tells killers where he is

A dad who was doused in acid after his ex-wife supplied information to his attackers died following the attack. Several members of an organised crime group have been jailed after Plymouth dad Danny Cahalane, 38, passed away following a 10-week battle in hospital with severe burns.

Ms Justice Norton said he was targeted because he owed a “significant drug debt”, and he was subject to a failed kidnapping in Oreston before the acid attack that claimed his life. She said: “Danny suffered significant corrosive injuries that had he survived would have been life-changing. For most if not all of the weeks between the assault and his death he would have been in significant pain.”

The court heard that Danny owed around £120,000 to a drugs boss based in Dubai for whom he had worked, managing the Plymouth branch of the operation.

When Danny was unable to repay the money lost from gambling and when an associate fled to New Zealand, he received demands for repaymenent – some of which were made through his ex-wife Paris Wilson – followed by threats on his life and others around him.

On January 19, 2025, Danny was subject to an attempted kidnap by the Mukuna brothers and a third man after he parked up in Oreston to drop his daughter off to Wilson.

Despite the three trying to get to Danny, he was able to get in his car and escape. Minutes later Danny received a message from the crime boss referring to a ‘close call’, adding that he’ll die next time.

Wilson became a key contact for the crime group as she gave up information – including about Danny’s whereabouts – as an act of revenge and for payment, police reported. She also put pressure on Danny on behalf of the drugs boss to pay up.

The court heard Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja and Ramarnee Bakas were key organisers trusted by the crime boss in the build-up to the February 21 acid attack.

In the early hours of 21 February, a stolen vehicle drove to Danny’s property, reversing into an alleyway nearby. Israel Augustus and a second man then approached Danny’s home and proceeded to enter and attack him with weapons.

Danny fought them off, before the second man retrieved a cup of sulphuric acid and threw it over Danny, causing the injuries which would go on to prove fatal.

Before his passing, Danny was able to give officers a detailed description of the events on the night of the attack from his hospital bed, as well as a full background of the debt, threats and previous attempted kidnap.

Augustus, who was driving, and the second man then left Plymouth and made their way back towards London before breaking down on the M4.

They arrived on foot in the nearby Wiltshire village of Grittleton, attending properties and the local pub trying to charge their phones and arrange a lift.

Eventually they were able to return to London after a lift was organised by Adedoja and Bakas to pick them up from Chippenham.

Adedoja in particular had constant communication with the crime boss during the time period either side of the attack in Lipson Road. He also made bank payments to some of those involved and actively recruited others.

Augustus’ bedroom was found to contain a large amount of different types of drugs and associated paraphernalia – and his phone had messages consistent with drug dealing.

Following an 18-week trial, Israel Augustus, 27, of Pulford Road in London, was found guilty of murder. He pleaded guilty to possession with an intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. He was given a life sentence with minimum terms of 30 years, minus time already served.

Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja, 23, of North Circular Road, Neasden, London, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 31 years, minus time served.

Danny’s ex-wife Paris Wilson 35, of The Quay, Plymouth, was jailed for nine years for manslaughter and attempted kidnap after supplying information on his whereabouts to a crime boss and another organiser, Ramarnee Bakas.

Bakas, 24, of Junction Road, London, was convicted of manslaughter. He was jailed for 10 years.

Three other defendants received custodial sentenced in May for lesser roles in the wider conspiracy which resulted in Danny’s death.

• Isanah Sungum, 23, of Sterling Way, Edmonton, London, sentenced to 26 months for participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.
• Jean Mukuna, 24, of Werrington Street, London, jailed for 52 months for attempted kidnap. He previously pleaded guilty to possession with an intent to supply drugs.
• Arrone Mukuna, 25, of Werrington Street, London, sentenced to 16 months for attempted kidnap.

Jude Hill, 44, of Wantage Gardens in Plymouth, who also stood trial with the other defendants, was cleared of any involvement in Danny’s killing but jailed for 32 months for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs from Thailand to the UK.

Two other defendants were acquitted either during or at the conclusion of the trial.

Detective Superintendent Rachael Bentley of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Danny’s family and friends who have lost a father, son and loved one.

“Danny was just 38 when he died and should have had many years ahead of him to look forward to. His family have handled themselves with dignity throughout proceedings and our thoughts remain with them going forward.

“This was a particularly barbaric attack on a man in his own home – a place he should have been safe. Despite for a time successfully fighting off his attackers, Danny must have been terrified.

“Acid attacks remain rare in Devon and Cornwall but are a particularly cowardly and devastating means of violence.

“Danny’s killing goes way beyond the two individuals that attended his home on 21 February 2025. It involved numerous individuals based in Plymouth, London and abroad who performed various roles in the planning, execution and events following the attack.

“This was a challenging and dynamic investigation that directly tackled a wide-reaching organised crime group. Organised crime has no place in our community and when it does creep into our force area, we will investigate and target those responsible regardless of where they stand in the chain of command.”