Nine people have appeared in court today after the death of 38-year-old Danny Cahalane, who was attacked with sulphuric acid at a property on Lipson Road in Plymouth.
Cahalane suffered catastrophic injuries to his face and body and remained in hospital for over two months before sadly dying on May 3.
Police have now confirmed that the case is being treated as a murder investigation, with prosecutors expected to decide this week whether to formally charge some of the accused with murder.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of February 21, triggered a multi-agency investigation involving Devon and Cornwall Police, the National Crime Agency, the Metropolitan Police, and Wiltshire Police.
The operation, codenamed Operation Lobpass, has uncovered links to a wider organised crime group allegedly involved in conspiracy to murder, kidnap, and drug trafficking.
Seven men from London and two women from Plymouth face charges ranging from conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to kidnap, laundering criminal proceeds, and grievous bodily harm with acid, to firearms and Class A drug offences.
Among the accused is Paris Wilson, a woman from Plymouth who was previously in a relationship with the victim. She is charged with conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to kidnap, and participation in organised crime group.
Other suspects include Ramarnee Bakas, Abdulrasheed Adedoja, Arrone and Jean Mukuna, Brian Kalemba, Isanah Sungum, Jenna O’Grady, and Israel Augustus.
Augustus also faces serious additional charges, including aggravated burglary while armed with acid and a screwdriver, and possession of a zombie knife.
Plymouth Crown Court heard that a post-mortem has now been completed and a final charging decision will be made by the Crown Prosecution Service on May 13.
The court was also told that due to the number of defendants and legal teams involved, the trial is likely to be moved to a larger court outside Plymouth – most likely Winchester Crown Court.
A provisional 10-week trial is expected to take place in May 2026. The case returns to court the week of June 2 for a further hearing – heartbreakingly close to what would have been Mr Cahalane’s 39th birthday.
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