Woman Guilty in Ex-Husband’s Acid Attack

Woman guilty of killing ex husband – A 35-year-old woman has been convicted of manslaughter and attempted abduction after orchestrating a deadly acid attack on her estranged husband. Paris Wilson, from Plymouth, was found not guilty of murder, marking a key distinction in her legal outcome. The incident, which took place at Cahalane’s home in February 2025, left the victim with severe injuries that ultimately led to his death in hospital weeks later. The jury at Winchester Crown Court delivered verdicts that implicated Wilson and another defendant in the fatal act, while others faced charges related to the attack.

Verdicts and Legal Consequences

The court ruled that Wilson and Ramarnee Bakas, 23, of Islington, London, were responsible for the manslaughter of Danny Cahalane, 38. Meanwhile, Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, from Neasden, and Israel Augustus, 26, from Tottenham, were convicted of murder. Jean and Arrone Mukuna, 24 and 25 respectively, also faced charges of attempted kidnapping. All defendants, including Wilson, are scheduled for sentencing on 8 June, with the Mukunas and Isanah Sungum, 22, from Edmonton, London, set to face their own trials on Friday. Jude Hill, 44, from Plymouth, was cleared of murder and manslaughter but will be sentenced for her role in supplying cannabis. Brian Kalemba, 23, from Barking, was exonerated of being part of an organized crime gang.

Details of the Attack

The attack unfolded on a night when two men, armed with sulphuric acid and a screwdriver, entered Cahalane’s home. After a confrontation, he chased the assailants out but was pursued again, resulting in a violent acid throw that left him with catastrophic burns. Cahalane survived for weeks, enduring extreme pain before passing away on 3 May in hospital. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting Wilson had intentionally set up the attack by ensuring her ex-husband would be home, as he had their daughter.

“Wilson knew exactly what was coming and was prepared to let it happen,” stated Jo Martin KC, the lead prosecutor, during closing arguments. This assertion was supported by messages revealed in court, which depicted Wilson’s growing frustration with Cahalane’s new life, including his relationship with a girlfriend and his financial situation.

Cahalane’s injuries were described as devastating, with the court emphasizing the severity of the burns he suffered. Despite his hospital bedside statements, he was unable to identify the perpetrators directly, though he believed Ryan Kennedy, a Dubai-based drugs boss, was orchestrating the attack. The prosecution argued that Wilson’s actions were pivotal in enabling the murder, highlighting her role as a key facilitator in the plot.

Relationship and Motive

The relationship between Wilson and Cahalane began in 2015 when they met while he was serving a sentence at Dartmoor Prison for drug offenses. Their bond deepened, leading to a wedding in 2020. However, the couple’s marriage dissolved in 2022 after Cahalane received a suspended jail sentence for further drug-related debts. The prosecution claimed that Cahalane had accumulated significant financial obligations, particularly after one of his junior dealers absconded with a substantial sum.

Wilson’s involvement in the attack was tied to her role as a contact for Kennedy, who was seeking repayment of £120,000 owed to him. She had been pressured for information about Cahalane’s movements, with promises of money offered as an incentive. Messages from Wilson to Kennedy revealed her resentment toward Cahalane’s new life, including his partnership with a girlfriend and his domestic situation. Just days before the attack, she sent a message expressing hope that Cahalane and his partner would suffer burns from acid, which the prosecution interpreted as a clear indication of her foreknowledge.

Prosecution’s Case

Jo Martin KC detailed how Kennedy’s frustration with Cahalane’s financial delays led to the planning of a kidnap attempt on 19 January 2025. This was followed by the fatal attack in February, which the prosecution argued was a calculated move to exact revenge. Cahalane’s debts were not just a matter of financial strain; they were central to the motive. The prosecutor highlighted that Kennedy had a shipping container filled with 320kg of cannabis, valued at £960,000 wholesale, which could be sold for up to £3.2 million in individual gram deals. This potential profit was seen as a driving force behind the attack.

Wilson denied knowledge of the attack’s timing, asserting she would never have allowed her daughter to be in danger. However, the jury rejected this defense, concluding that her actions were deliberate. The prosecution maintained that she had lied to both Cahalane and the police to obscure her involvement. During the trial, the defense emphasized Wilson’s emotional state, arguing that her resentment had escalated beyond control. Yet, the jury found her responsible for the attack’s execution, citing her repeated falsehoods as evidence of her intent.

Impact and Legal Implications

The case has drawn attention to the role of personal relationships in organized crime. Wilson’s conviction underscores how intimate ties can be leveraged for criminal ends, with her connection to Cahalane acting as a bridge to Kennedy’s broader drug network. The court’s decision to convict her of manslaughter rather than murder reflects the legal distinction between direct intent and indirect involvement. While the jury accepted that she was complicit in the attack, they did not find her to have foreseen the fatal outcome with certainty.

Others implicated in the attack, such as Bakas and Adedoja, faced murder charges, though Bakas was found not guilty of attempted kidnapping. The prosecution’s case against Wilson focused on her role as a co-conspirator, with the evidence painting a picture of a woman who had been manipulated into aiding the plot. Her denial of prior knowledge was challenged by the testimony of Cahalane, who described his belief that Kennedy had orchestrated the attack through Wilson’s cooperation. The trial revealed the complex interplay between personal vendettas and organized crime, as well as the vulnerability of individuals caught in such networks.

As the sentencing dates approach, the case serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of financial and emotional entanglements. Wilson’s conviction highlights the importance of accountability in situations where personal relationships intersect with criminal enterprises. The legal proceedings have also shed light on the methods used to carry out such attacks, with the use of sulphuric acid and strategic planning playing key roles in the victim’s demise. This case is set to have lasting implications for how organized crime and domestic conflicts are addressed in the justice system.