Six people have been sentenced for the murder of Joanne Penney, who was shot in the heart at point blank range on a doorstep in Talbot Green. The killing was part of a clash between rival organised crime groups over drug dealing.
The Murder and Sentencing
The 40-year-old died after a bullet penetrated her heart and left lung, lodging in the rear of her chest. She was pronounced dead at a property in Llys Illtyd, Talbot Green, at around 6.10pm on March 9 last year. Marcus Huntley, 21, pleaded guilty to murdering Ms Penney and being the person who pulled the trigger. Jordan Mills-Smith, 34, Joshua Gordon, 28, Kristina Ginova, 22, and Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40, were found guilty of her murder. Convicted murderer Renaldo Baptiste, 39, was also found guilty of murder, having arranged the killing from his prison cell. Baptiste was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for murdering a man in Leicester when he orchestrated the shooting.
Background of Organised Crime Rivalry
The court heard the background to the killing was a “clash of rival organised crime groups”, one headed by defendant Joshua Gordon, of the “Rico OCG”. The expansion of Gordon’s activities into South Wales, specifically Talbot Green, was “not taken well” by a rival group of drug dealers, led by Daniel Joseph, known as “Jimmy”. Prosecutor Jonathan Rees KC said during the original trial: “On two occasions in the lead-up to the murder on March 9, 2025, Jimmy and his men had confronted, and humiliated, members of the ‘Rico’ group when they were in the Talbot Green area.” In the days following, Huntley, Gordon and Baptiste discussed obtaining a firearm and ammunition to “send a message” to their rivals.
Roles of the Defendants
On the day of the murder, Quailey-Dashper knocked on the front door of 10 Llys Illtyd. Mr Rees said: "The trigger may have been pulled by Marcus Huntley, but the prosecution’s case is that each of Joshua Gordon, Marcus Huntley, Jordan Mills-Smith, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, Kristina Ginova are jointly responsible for her murder. They each played their part in the death of Joanna Penney – knowing that they were acting to bring about, or assisting/encouraging others to bring about, at least really serious injury to another person."
Family Impact Statements
During the sentencing hearing on Monday, the court heard powerful statements from Ms Penney's family. Her mother, Sharon Penney, said she has nightmares about her daughter's death and is too scared to be left alone. Addressing the murderers through her statement, Ms Penney said: "You don't deserve my thoughts or pain or emotional responses such as anger." A statement read on behalf of Ms Penney's two daughters said they felt "lost, scared and angry" after their mother's death. They added: "You didn’t just take our mum but our past, future and chance to know who we are and where we come from. You have left us as orphans." Ms Penney's father, Keith Penney, said: "I want the defendant to understand the pain, grief and suffering they have caused us." Her son, Cody Griffiths, said: "You shot my mother through the heart and shot her whole family through the heart too."
Sentencing Hearing Continues
The sentencing hearing resumed at 10am on Tuesday, with the court hearing mitigation for each defendant from their respective barristers. All six defendants are in the dock, with Mr Justice Fordham presiding.
