Six individuals are being sentenced for their involvement in the murder of Joanne Penney, 40, who was shot in the heart at point-blank range on March 9, 2025. The bullet penetrated her heart and left lung before lodging in her chest; she was pronounced dead at a property in Llys Illtyd, Talbot Green, at approximately 6:10pm.
Guilty Pleas and Verdicts
Marcus Huntley, 21, pleaded guilty to murder as the triggerman. Jordan Mills-Smith, 34, Joshua Gordon, 28, Kristina Ginova, 22, and Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40, were found guilty of murder. Convicted murderer Renaldo Baptiste, 39, was also found guilty of arranging the murder from his prison cell while serving a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years for a previous murder in Leicester.
Defence Barristers' Submissions
On the second day of the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, defence barristers presented mitigating factors. Talbir Singh KC, representing Joshua Gordon, described his client as a “secondary party” who had “cold feet” before the murder. Baptiste's barrister stated his client was “shocked” by the outcome in Talbot Green. Huntley's defence barrister said the 21-year-old was a reasonably promising employee before “things went wrong,” and Mr. Crowther noted Huntley was recruited by Mills-Smith and described by Quailey-Dashper as a “skivvy.”
Quailey-Dashper's Background
Melissa Quailey-Dashper's defence barrister, Mr. Joyce, detailed her upbringing: she was trafficked as a sex slave, homeless for much of her adult life, and found comfort in crack cocaine. The court was told she had faced significant challenges throughout her life.
Ginova's Vulnerability
Kristina Ginova's barrister said she was under social services from age 12 and had two children taken into care before the murder. A social services report described her as “vulnerable” and prone to relationships with “exploitative individuals.”
Sentencing Continues
The sentencing of the six defendants will continue into Wednesday. Full coverage of day two is available on WalesOnline.
