Explosive Text Messages Revealed in Acid Attack Murder Trial
Winchester Crown Court has been presented with a series of shocking text messages exchanged between alleged murder victim Danny Cahalane and his ex-wife Paris Wilson in the weeks preceding an alleged kidnap attempt. The court heard how the 38-year-old died on May 3, 2025, following a brutal acid attack at his Lipson Road home in Plymouth during the early hours of February 21, 2025.
Drug Debts and Alleged Kidnap Plot
Lead prosecutor Joanna Martin KC informed the jury that Mr Cahalane was a drug dealer in Plymouth who owed substantial money to another dealer higher up the chain of command. The court heard that Mr Cahalane admitted to police that he had gambled away profits, including funds intended for a drugs boss identified in court as Ryan Kennedy, also known as 'Frost'. Frost, from London, is believed to be currently residing in Dubai.
The trial involves ten defendants - seven men from London and three women from Plymouth - with seven facing charges of Mr Cahalane's murder alongside an alternative charge of manslaughter. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Parenting Discussions Turn Sinister
The jury was shown messages between Mr Cahalane and Ms Wilson discussing parenting arrangements, maintenance payments, and weekend care in the weeks leading to January 19, 2025 - the day of the alleged kidnap attempt outside Ms Wilson's home on The Quay in Oreston, Plymouth.
In one particularly ominous exchange, Ms Wilson warned Mr Cahalane to "genuinely be careful who you disrespect", cautioning that "you risk losing everything because you've not been behaving correctly to people." On January 14, she advised him not to squander the new year, reminding him of his business capabilities with the words: "I've seen you do 1,000 burpees, save £100,000. I've seen so much more than what you are lately."
Alleged Kidnap Attempt and Immediate Aftermath
Ms Wilson instructed Mr Cahalane to arrive at her home at 10am on January 19 to drop off an individual. Shortly after this exchange, at approximately 10.13am, Mr Cahalane sent a message stating "I can't believe it", to which Ms Wilson responded angrily: "Who was that? Dan, don't bring your s*** here. This isn't that kind of place."
Mr Cahalane accused her of knowing exactly who was involved, claiming "telling people my address and whereabouts is wild." Ms Wilson furiously denied involvement, insisting she was planning to go to the police and warning: "I promise you now I'm done covering for you."
Threats and Accusations Escalate
The messages revealed escalating tensions, with Ms Wilson threatening to prevent Mr Cahalane from seeing their daughter, involving the police, and exposing him on social media as a "grass". She claimed she had protected him previously, stating: "I've kept your address private for a while now and your dumb girlfriends. I've had the police in my apartment. I've been offered money for your address."
Mr Cahalane appeared to open up about his struggles, telling Ms Wilson that 2024 was "the worst of my life, I lost everything again. My mum. Everything went wrong." He added: "I'm getting my shit together now though. This thing is the last to sort and I'm doing that."
Final Exchanges and Legal Proceedings
Ms Wilson reminded Mr Cahalane that parenting involved more than love, cautioning that "Flipping people's money and airing them is putting your child in danger." When Mr Cahalane suggested resolving the issue through a meeting at her place, Ms Wilson responded with outrage about "two black guys who I do not know who were sent here because you owe some guy money."
The defendants facing murder charges are:
- Paris Wilson, 35, of The Quay, Plymouth
- Jude Hill, 43, of Wantage Gardens, Plymouth
- Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, of Neasden, London
- Ramarnee Bakas-Sithole, 23, of Islington, London
- Israel Augustus, 26, of Tottenham, London
- Isanah Sungum, 22, of Edmonton, London
- Brian Kalemba, 23, of Barking, London
Five defendants - Adedoja, Bakas-Sithole, Wilson, Jean Mukuna (23), and Arrone Mukuna (25) - face additional charges of attempted kidnapping and attempted grievous bodily harm relating to the January 19 incident at The Quay in Oreston, Plymouth.
The trial continues at Winchester Crown Court with all ten defendants maintaining their not guilty pleas.
