Published on: January 23, 2026, 03:10h.
Updated on: January 23, 2026, 03:10h.
- Jury learns that Danny Cahalane passed away weeks following a vicious acid attack.
- Prosecutors allege that “Frost” Ryan Kennedy orchestrated the attack from Dubai.
- Paris Wilson, Cahalane’s ex-spouse, is among 10 individuals charged in the scheme.
A father of two, who accrued gambling debts to a notorious British drug lord, was fatally assaulted in an acid attack, a jury in Winchester Crown Court, England, heard on Thursday.
Danny Cahalane, aged 38, was violently attacked with sulfuric acid by two assailants who invaded his residence in the early morning hours of February 21, 2025. He succumbed to life-threatening injuries ten weeks later, but not before revealing to authorities that he owed money to an underground criminal known as “Frost.”
Prosecutors identified “Frost” as crime boss Ryan Kennedy, who is believed to be residing in Dubai and is not facing trial at this time, per court documents.
Cahalane’s ex-wife, Paris Wilson, aged 35, is among ten individuals—seven men and three women—charged with conspiracy to murder. Wilson is also the mother of one of his children.
The accused are facing charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and involvement in organized crime.
‘Middle Management’
Before his death, Cahalane disclosed to investigators that he was involved in a “middle management” role within Kennedy’s drug distribution network, as stated by the prosecutors. He reportedly owed Kennedy approximately £120,000 (around US$164,000) after squandering earnings he had made from drug trafficking.
He also claimed to have been cheated by an associate lower in the hierarchy who absconded to another country with funds that were meant for Kennedy.
Cahalane and Kennedy were childhood friends from the same south London housing project, according to prosecutor Jo Martin KC. However, Kennedy was enraged that Cahalane had lost his money and sought to “demonstrate his authority,” Martin stated.
“Danny attempted to arrange a repayment plan, but it fell through,” Martin added. “Instead, he engaged in extensive delays and deception.”
Death Threats
The court heard that leading up to the attack, Kennedy sent multiple threatening messages to Cahalane.
“You’re gonna die… U just need to die… You owe me £80K… they’re coming for you now,” Kennedy allegedly wrote, per court documents.
On January 19, 2025, a group of assailants arrived at Cahalane’s home and attempted to break in, which was a tactic used for intimidation, according to Martin.
Following this incident, Kennedy messaged him: “Close call? Mate, I’m warning you that they’re going to burn houses down and you’re gonna die.”
The prosecution asserts that the defendants acted under Kennedy’s orders with the intent to carry out a murder.
The trial is ongoing.