Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Three men and a woman have been found guilty of the brutal acid killing of a Plymouth dad-of-two who was attacked in his own home.

Danny Cahalane, 38, was attacked in a planned organised crime hit in Lipson Road on 21 February 2025.

Danny was treated in hospital for 10 weeks for severe burns but succumbed to his injuries on 3 May 2025.

The murder was orchestrated by an organised crime boss based outside the UK to whom Danny was believed to have owed a six-figure sum relating to a drug supply debt.

Among those convicted was Danny’s ex-wife Paris Wilson who supplied information to the drugs boss as to his whereabouts. She was convicted of manslaughter in relation to her involvement in the events of 21 February.

Following an 18 week trial at Winchester Crown Court and 40 hours of jury deliberation, the jury returned the following verdicts.

Israel Augustus, 26, of Pulford Road in London, found guilty of murder. He previously pleaded guilty to possession with an intent to supply drugs. 

Abdul-Rasheed Adedoja, 23, of North Circular Road, Neasden, London, found guilty of murder.

Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, of Junction Road, London, found guilty of manslaughter.

Isanah Sungum, 22, of Sterling Way, Edmonton, London, found guilty of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

Paris Wilson, 35, of The Quay, Plymouth, found guilty of manslaughter and attempted kidnap.

Jude Hill, 43, of Wantage Gardens in Plymouth, found not guilty of manslaughter. She had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Jean Mukuna, 24, of Werrington Street, London, found guilty of attempted kidnap. He previously pleaded guilty to possession with an intent to supply drugs. 

Arrone Mukuna, 25, of Werrington Street, London, found guilty of attempted kidnap.

Brian Kalemba, 23, of Eastbury Square, Barking, London, was found not guilty of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. The judge ruled during the trial that he had no case to answer in respect of murder and manslaughter.

Jenna Said, 40, of Ernesettle Green, Plymouth, was cleared of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group during the course of the trial due to a lack of evidence against her.

Sungum, the Mukuna brothers and Hill will be sentenced tomorrow, Friday 15 May. Augustus, Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole and Wilson will be sentenced on 8 June depending on barrister availability.

During the course of the trial, the jury heard how the conspiracy to murder Danny was planned and executed by an organised crime group based in London and abroad linked to drug supply both in Plymouth and further afield.

Danny headed up the Plymouth-side to the drug dealing operation, but when a person working below him fled to New Zealand, he was left owing around £120,000 to those further up the chain.

When he was unable to repay the debt, Danny’s boss became agitated leading to death threats and ultimately the series of events that would result in Danny’s murder.

On Sunday 19 January 2025 a resident living in Oreston became aware of three suspicious men sat in a Hyundai car.

The vehicle had travelled from London and contained Jean and Arrone Mukuna and a third man.

A short time later Danny arrived in his vehicle to drop off his daughter to her mother, Wilson who lived in the area.

Despite the men trying to get to Danny, he was able to 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 go-to contact for the individual at the top of the criminal organisation to put pressure on Danny to pay up, and she also happily gave up information in exchange for payment and to get her own back on Danny.

Prior to 21 February there was a stream of contact between many of those involved planning for the final attack.

Late on 18 February, Kalemba and another man travel to Plymouth in a stolen vehicle.

Kalemba – who the jury ruled did not know of the purpose of his drive to Plymouth  - departed Plymouth prior to the fatal attack on Danny, replaced by Augustus who was driven to Devon by Sungum.

In the early hours of 21 February, the stolen vehicle drives to Danny’s property, reversing into an alleyway nearby.

Augustus and a second man then approach Danny’s home.

Prior to his death while being treated in hospital, Danny was able to tell officers that he was woken by two men assaulting him with weapons.

After temporarily fighting them off, one of the men returned from the vehicle parked outside and threw sulphuric acid from a coffee cup over Danny, causing the injuries which would in time cost him his life.

The assassins then departed Plymouth in the same vehicle before breaking down on the M4.

They then 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-Sithole to pick them up from Chippenham.

Officers then conducted extensive fast-paced enquiries including the examination of phone records, CCTV and doorbell footage and ANPR, resulting in the identification and subsequent arrests of the defendants who have stood trial.

Detective Inspector Rachel Blanchard, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “Firstly, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Danny Cahalane who lost his life aged just 38 following a period of time in hospital.

“Four people have now been found guilty of various direct roles relating to the fatal attack and we welcome the jury’s verdicts. Two more were found guilty in relation to the incident in Oreston, and one of his involvement in the organised crime group.

“The fatal attack on Danny, and the incident in Oreston, were both organised with the assistance of someone who knew him well.

“This was an extremely challenging investigation, with the evidence revealing a sophisticated and wide-reaching organised crime network operating in Plymouth, London and beyond.

“This kind of brutal and thoughtless violence is symptomatic of how such criminal organisations operate.

“Acid attacks are particularly barbaric but thankfully remain rare in Devon and Cornwall.

“When violence linked to organised crime does take place in our force area, we will continue to target those responsible regardless of their position in the hierarchy.”

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Statement on behalf of the family of Danny Cahalane

“Today’s verdict brings a sense of justice, but it does not bring Danny back.

“On behalf of our family, I want to begin by thanking the Devon and Cornwall Police for their tireless work on what has been an incredibly complex investigation, combined with the work from the Metropolitan Police in London & Wiltshire in the initial investigation stages.

“From the very beginning, we were supported, informed and never made to feel forgotten. That has meant more to us than words can properly express.

“We would also like to extend our heartful thanks to the family liaison team, who have supported us throughout the trial. Their professionalism, kindness and unwavering support has meant a great deal to our family.

“We would also like to thank Jo Martin KC and the entire prosecution team for their exceptional dedication and professionalism throughout the case. They have represented Danny with dignity and strength and they have fought relentlessly to ensure justice has been done.

“We are also deeply grateful to the jury, who have endured a long trial and heard distressing and traumatic evidence. We thank them for their care, diligence and for reaching a fair and just conclusion. 

“Our thanks also go to The Honourable Ms Justice Norton, for her fair, measured and careful handling of this trial. Managing a case of this scale and complexity is no small task and we are grateful for the way it has been conducted.

“This crime has devastated our family. It has torn lives apart and left a lasting impact that cannot be undone. Danny was not just a victim. He was a son, a father and a loved one. His children will grow up without him and that is a loss that will never truly heal.

“Danny's mum, who sadly passed away the day after him, would have been incredibly proud to see this outcome. We take some comfort in believing she would be standing beside us today, supporting the fight for justice.

“No family should ever have to endure what we have been through. Crimes like this are cruel, senseless and leave behind a ripple effect of pain that stretches far beyond the individual targeted. The consequences are not limited to those directly involved, they are carried by families, children and loved ones for a lifetime.

“To those who are involved in or considering involvement in organised crime, particularly drug related activity, I would say this: The reality is not what you think. It does not bring respect or success. It brings destruction, loss and irreversible harm. Lives are ruined, families are broken and the consequences are permanent.

“While today’s result reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this case, it does not close the chapter for us. The grief we carry will remain with us forever. However, these verdicts do help us begin to move forward.

“Our focus now is on rebuilding our lives and supporting Danny’s children, ensuring they grow up knowing who their father was and how deeply he was loved.

“After such a long and difficult trial, we now ask for privacy so that we can grieve, reflect and begin the process of healing as a family.

“Thank you.”