Woman shot dead as part of gang turf way, murder trial told
Joanne Penney was killed as she opened the door of a flat in Talbot Green on March 9 this year
A woman who was shot dead in Talbot Green, is thought to of been caught in a turf war between rival gangs which turned violent, a court has heard.
Joanne Penney, 40, was killed as she opened the door of a flat in south Wales on March 9 this year.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Ms Penney was shot at almost point blank range in the chest after being confronted in Llys Illtyd, Talbot Green, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Jonathan Rees KC, prosecuting, told the jury the alleged motive for the shooting was a clash between two rival drug gangs operating in Talbot Green.
Six people are standing trial accused of murder:
Six people: Marcus Huntley, 21; Kristina Ginova, 21; Joshua Gordon, 27; Tony Porter, 68; Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40; and Jordan Mills-Smith, 33; are all standing trial accused of murder.
Opening the case for the Crown, Mr Rees said: "On March 9 2025, Joanne Penney opened the front door of 10 Llys Illtyd, Green Park, Talbot Green, and she was instantly shot to the heart with a single bullet fired from a handgun at close range.
"She barely managed to stagger back to the living room of the address before falling to the floor and dying moments later.
"The background to the killing was a clash of rival organised crime groups. One headed by Joshua Gordon, a group we are calling the Rico OCG, the other headed by Daniel "Jimmy" Joseph.
"Mr Gordon, also known as Rico or Reece, was involved with his girlfriend, Kristina Ginova, in serious drug trafficking based in Leicester but branching out his drug dealing into south Wales."
The court heard that Huntley, Mills-Smith and another man were also part of the Rico group involved in drug trafficking, while Quailey-Dashper and her partner, Porter, were allegedly involved in the trade in Leicester.
The jury was told that on the night of the shooting, Gordon, Huntley, Mills-Smith and Quailey-Dashper were driven to Talbot Green by Porter.
Gordon and Porter remained in the car while the others walked up to the door of the flat, which was linked to the drug trade.
"Miss Penney was not specifically targeted - the plan was to shoot someone at the address in which (a man) was attacked and from which they were prevented from selling drugs."
Emergency services were called to the address by Jade Williams shortly after 6pm that evening, following a report a woman had been shot.
Police found Ms Penney on the floor of the living room, with a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Ms Penney was pronounced dead at the scene:
The court heard the property, which was the home address of Katie Summers, had a history associated with drug use.
Ms Summers' brother was at the address with Ms Williams when the shooting occurred, the court heard.
Huntley, of Orchard Park, St Mellons, Cardiff; Ginova, of London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire; Gordon, of London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire; Porter, of Burdet Close, Braunstone Town, Leicestershire; Quailey-Dashper, of Westcotes Drive, Leicester; Mills-Smith, of Bryn Celyn, Pentwyn, Cardiff, all deny charges of murder.
Gordon, Quailey-Dashper, Ginova, and Porter deny a second charge of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group between March 2024 and March 2025.
Huntley and Mills-Smith have pleaded guilty to that charge.
The trial continues.