Four Guilty in Joanne Penney Drug Turf War Murder
In a case that has gripped south Wales, four people have been found guilty of murdering Joanne Penney, a 40-year-old mother who became an unintended victim of a brutal drug turf war. The verdicts, delivered at Cardiff Crown Court after a trial lasting several weeks, highlight the devastating ripple effects of gang violence in local communities. Joanne was shot dead at a flat in Talbot Green on March 9, 2023, when she innocently answered the door. The tragedy underscores the dangers posed by escalating rivalries between drug dealers from Cardiff and Leicester.
The Tragic Incident Unfolds
Joanne Penney, described by loved ones as a devoted mother, was temporarily staying at 10 Llys Illtyd in Talbot Green, a quiet residential area in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Unbeknownst to her, the property had become a hotspot for drug sales amid a fierce competition between two gangs. One group, led by Cardiff-based Marcus Huntley and Jordan Mills-Smith, was encroaching on territory controlled by the so-called 'Jimmy gang,' local dealers who took umbrage at the newcomers.
The court heard how tensions boiled over after two humiliating confrontations involving the Jimmy gang against Huntley's operatives. In response, Huntley's crew decided to arm themselves and 'send a message.' Huntley, a 21-year-old drug dealer sourcing crack cocaine and other substances from Leicester suppliers, obtained a converted starter pistol – a blank-firing gun modified to shoot live rounds.
The Night of the Shooting
On the evening of March 9, Huntley, accompanied by Mills-Smith, 33, from Cardiff, and Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40, from Leicester, approached the flat. Quailey-Dashper, who claimed she was coerced with crack cocaine, knocked on the door before fleeing. When Joanne opened it, Huntley fired at close range, the bullet piercing her heart. Paramedics arrived swiftly, performing emergency open-heart surgery at the scene in a desperate bid to save her life. Tragically, they pronounced her dead shortly after, her family left shattered by the senseless loss.
The perpetrators fled the scene calmly, returning to their car as Joanne lay dying. The following day, Huntley attempted to dispose of the weapon by burying it in a park near residential homes and a primary school in Cardiff – a reckless act that endangered even more innocents.
The Trial: Revelations and Confessions
The trial commenced on October 22, 2023, at Cardiff Crown Court, drawing widespread media attention, including coverage from BBC Wales reporters Telor Iwan and Stephen Fairclough. Huntley admitted to pulling the trigger on the second day, but the jury deliberated on the culpability of his co-defendants: Jordan Mills-Smith, Joshua Gordon, 27, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, and Kristina Ginova, 23, all from Leicester.
Prosecutors painted a picture of a coordinated plot born from greed and retaliation. Huntley received his drug supply from the Leicester group, which included Gordon, Quailey-Dashper, and Ginova. Evidence included a chilling selfie Huntley took with the pistol the day before the murder, as well as phone records and witness testimonies detailing the gang's movements.
Arrests and Alibis Unravel
The aftermath was a flurry of arrests and frantic cover-ups. Huntley shaved his head and fled to Leicester but was apprehended on March 12 while returning via National Express coach, the pistol still in his possession initially. Ginova and Gordon were arrested the next day at their Oadby flat in Leicester. Quailey-Dashper and 69-year-old Tony Porter were nabbed that same night. Mills-Smith, the last to be caught, was found hiding in Stowmarket, Suffolk, on March 14.
During interrogations, cracks appeared in their stories. Ginova immediately pointed the finger at Huntley, telling police, 'I've got nothing to do with it. The person who's done it, his name's Marcus.' Mills-Smith insisted the visit was merely to reclaim owed drugs, denying any intent to kill. Porter was ultimately acquitted of murder charges, but the other four were convicted after jurors weighed the evidence of joint enterprise in the plot.
Broader Implications for South Wales Communities
This case exposes the underbelly of drug trafficking in Wales, where turf wars spill over into everyday lives. Talbot Green, a seemingly peaceful suburb, became a battleground, with 10 Llys Illtyd serving as a makeshift sales point for crack and cocaine. South Wales Police and the Crown Prosecution Service emphasized how such rivalries escalate from verbal disputes to lethal violence, often claiming innocent bystanders like Joanne.
Community leaders in Rhondda Cynon Taf have called for increased resources to combat drug gangs, pointing to the proximity of the buried weapon to a school as a stark reminder of the risks to children. The verdicts bring some closure to Joanne's family, who described her as a vibrant woman whose life was cut short by others' criminality. Sentencing for the five convicted – Huntley, Mills-Smith, Gordon, Quailey-Dashper, and Ginova – is scheduled for a later date, with expectations of lengthy prison terms.
Lessons from the Gang Rivalry
Experts in criminology note that this incident mirrors a national trend: the importation of drugs from English cities like Leicester fueling local conflicts in Wales. Initiatives like targeted policing and community education are crucial, but as this trial shows, the human cost remains heartbreakingly high. Joanne Penney's death is a poignant call to address the root causes of drug addiction and gang culture before more families suffer.
In the wake of the verdicts, tributes poured in for Joanne, with friends remembering her warmth and resilience as a mother. Her story serves as a somber reminder that behind every statistic on drug-related crime is a personal tragedy. As south Wales reflects on this loss, the hope is that justice, though late, will deter future violence and foster safer streets.
