Sister-in-law 'devastated' by acid attack death

A woman accused of murdering a drug dealer in a fatal acid attack told police she knew nothing about it and was "devastated" by his death, a court has heard.

Jude Hill, 43, was arrested after brother-in-law Danny Cahalane died of his injuries on 3 May 2025 following the attack at his Plymouth home on 21 February, Winchester Crown Court was told.

"If I had thought for one minute anything was going to happen to Dan I would have told the police," Hill, from Plymouth, told officers.

Ten people are on trial accused of offences including murder, manslaughter, attempted kidnapping and being part of a drugs supply gang.

Cahalane was attacked with sulphuric acid on the doorstep at his home in Lipson Road, Plymouth, and died in hospital.

The court has heard that the attack followed a dispute with drugs gang boss Ryan Kennedy, known as Frost, over a £120,000 drugs debt.

It also heard a number of messages from Hill in Thailand showed involvement in exporting cannabis from the country to Plymouth.

Hill was arrested on 25 June at Heathrow Airport, the court was told.

She told police: "Under no circumstances would I plan or facilitate an attack on Danny. Danny was a beloved family member and I am devastated by his death."

She said she suspected the attack was "down to money and drugs".

"It's frightening for me and my son," she said. "If I had thought for one minute anything was going to happen to Dan I would have told the police."

Hill, and Paris Wilson, 35, from Plymouth, and Israel Augustus, 26, Isanah Sungum, 22, Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 23, Ramarnee Bakas, 23, and Brian Kalemba, 23, all from London, are charged with murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

Wilson, Adedoja, Bakas, Augustus, Sungum and Kalemba have also been charged with being part of an organised crime gang, along with Jenna Said, 39, of Plymouth, and Arrone Mukuna, 25, and Jean Mukuna, 23, both from London.

Adedoja, Bakas, Wilson, Jean Mukuna and Arrone Mukuna are all also charged with attempted kidnapping and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

They all deny the charges and the trial continues.

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