Woman guilty of killing ex-husband in acid attack

A woman who helped orchestrate a fatal acid attack on her ex-husband has been found guilty of manslaughter and attempted kidnapping.

Paris Wilson, 35, from Plymouth, was found not guilty of murder.

A jury at Winchester Crown Court returned guilty verdicts for manslaughter to Wilson and fellow defendant Ramarnee Bakas, 23, of London. It also returned guilty verdicts for murder on Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, and Israel Augustus, 26, both from London. A sentencing date is yet to be confirmed.

Along with Wilson, Jean and Arrone Mukuna - aged 24 and 25 respectively and both from London - were also found guilty of attempted kidnap.

Isanah Sungum, 22, from Edmonton in London, was found guilty of being part of an organised crime gang but not guilty of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

The jury found Jude Hill, 44, from Plymouth, not guilty of murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter.

Brian Kalemba, 23, from Barking in London, was found not guilty of being part of an organised crime gang.

Adedoja and Bakas were found not guilty of attempted kidnapping.

The court heard Wilson, the mother of Cahalane's child, played a central role in the plan that led to his death.

Prosecutors said Wilson knowingly passed information about Cahalane's movements to a Dubai-based drugs boss called Ryan Kennedy, also known as Frost, and helped facilitate the attack.

The jury accepted the prosecution case that Wilson knew "exactly what was coming" and was prepared to let it happen.

The court heard during the four-month-long trial Wilson and Cahalane met in 2015 while he was still serving a sentence at Dartmoor Prison for drug dealing.

The pair started a relationship which led to a wedding in 2020. Their marriage broke down in 2022 when Cahalane was given a suspended jail sentence for drug offences.

Wilson was pressed for information by Kennedy to help locate her ex-husband, going as far as being offered money.

Messages shown to the court revealed Wilson expressing anger and resentment about Cahalane's new life, including his home and his girlfriend.

Just days before the attack, Wilson sent a message saying she hoped Cahalane and his partner would end up with acid in their faces.

Prosecutors said this was not an idle remark but clear evidence of foreknowledge.

On the night of the attack, two men armed with sulphuric acid and a screwdriver forced their way into Cahalane's home.

Cahalane chased them out of his property, but they came back in and one threw acid on him.

He suffered devastating burns and told police he did not know who the men were but believed Kennedy was behind the attack and Wilson had set him up as she knew he would be home that night as he had their daughter.

An ambulance crew found him in extreme pain and gave him morphine before taking him to hospital, where he died on 3 May.

Wilson denied knowing the attack would take place and told the court she would never have allowed her daughter to be in danger.

The jury rejected her account.

Prosecutors said Wilson lied repeatedly, both to Cahalane and to police, to conceal her role.

In closing speeches, the prosecution described her as a key facilitator whose actions made the murder possible.

Speaking after the verdicts were given, Cahalane's family said they felt a "sense of justice" had been reached.

"But it does not bring Danny back," they added.

Cahalane's family added his death had devastated them.

"It has torn lives apart and left a lasting impact that cannot be undone. Danny was not just a victim," the family said.

"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."