A fifth person has been convicted of his involvement in the murder of Danny Cahalane, who died following a deadly acid attack in Plymouth. 

Kelvin Asante (23) was convicted of the murder and attempted kidnapping of Danny Cahalane by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on 12 November.

This followed an earlier trial in May 2026, which saw two other men convicted of Danny's murder and a man and a woman convicted of his manslaughter.

Danny was attacked at his home on Lipson Road in Plymouth on 21 February 2025, when two men entered his home and threw sulphuric acid over him, causing catastrophic injuries. He died in hospital ten weeks later.

Asante fled the UK for Thailand immediately after the attack. He flew back to the UK two days before his co-defendants' trial began. Police had been told through international channels that he was returning and arrested him at Heathrow airport. He had no luggage and no phone with him. 

Laura Burgess of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Kelvin Asante played a leading role in a sustained and calculated campaign against Danny Cahalane, culminating in an attack of pure brutality. He helped plan the attack and, when the moment came, threw sulphuric acid at Danny multiple times.

"Asante then fled the country, hoping to escape justice. We worked closely with the police investigative team to build the case and make sure he was held to account.

“Four of Asante's co-defendants have already been convicted for their part in Danny's death and the events leading up to it. Danny's own words, shared with police while hospital staff did their best to save him, were key to securing the conviction of his killers. 

"Our thoughts remain with Danny's family and friends, who have shown great strength throughout both of these trials." 

Asante will be sentenced on 1 December.

Building the case

Before his death, Danny told police a great deal about the attack, including who he believed was responsible and that the motive was a drug debt he owed.

Forensic evidence directly linked Asante to the attack and CCTV footage tracked his movements and actions in Plymouth and in the getaway. 

The court heard Asante helped plan the attack, carried out at the request of a man who remains overseas and has not yet been brought to justice.  

Asante travelled to Plymouth and broke into Danny’s home with Israel Augustus. Asante threw sulphuric acid at him and the two men left the address. Asante then returned and threw acid at Danny a second time before they fled Plymouth and travelled back to London.  

Danny also told police about an earlier incident in January 2025, when three men approached him in his car. Asante was convicted of attempted kidnapping for his role in this incident.