Trial date set for seven accused over death of woman in Talbot Green
A trial date has been set for seven people charged relating to the death of a 40-year-old woman shot in South Wales
Last updated 7th Jul 2025
A trial date has been set for seven people charged relating to the death of a 40-year-old woman shot dead in South Wales.
Joanne Penney died after being shot in the chest at an address in Talbot Green, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on March 9 - in what police have said may be a case of mistaken identity.
Joshua Gordon, 27, Marcus Huntley, 20, Jordan Mills-Smith, 33, Kristina Ginova, 21, and Tony Porter, 68, all pleaded not guilty to murder.
Gordon, of Oadby, Leicestershire, and Huntley, from St Mellons, Cardiff, also denied participating in the activities of an organised crime group between March 11 2024 and March 11 this year.
Mills-Smith, from Pentwyn, Cardiff, Ginova, from Oadby, Leicestershire, and Porter, from Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
Sai Raj Manne, 25, of no fixed address, and Molly Cooper, 33, from Leicester, also denied participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
Manne pleaded not guilty to possessing, purchasing or acquiring a firearm, namely an 8mm calibre self-loading pistol modified to enable the discharge of ammunition without legal authority.
Cooper denied possessing, purchasing or acquiring ammunition, namely 16 live 8mm calibre blank pistol cartridges reloaded with improvised projectiles, without having a firearms certificate.
An eighth defendant, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 39, from Leicester, is also charged with Ms Penney's murder but did not attend court on Monday.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, heard that a nine-week trial is due to begin on October 20 this year.
She remanded the defendants in custody ahead of the next hearing in the case
Ms Penney died after being shot in the chest at an address in Llys Illtyd, in Talbot Green.
Emergency services attended the scene to find Ms Penney with serious injuries and she was pronounced dead.
In a tribute, Ms Penney's family said: "We are devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved Joanne. She was a daughter, mother, sister and niece - loved deeply by all who knew her.
"Her kindness, strength and love for her family will never be forgotten."
"During this incredibly difficult time, we ask for privacy as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss.
"We appreciate the support and condolences from the community, and kindly request that our family be given the space to mourn in peace.
The trial will take place in Cardiff Crown Court on the 20th October 2025.