A drugs gang who fatally shot a woman at a house in Talbot Green have been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.

Marcus Huntley, 21, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40 and Jordan Mills-Smith, 34, attended the property on 9 March 2025. Melissa Quailey-Dashper had been instructed to knock the door, and when Joanne Penney answered, Marcus Huntley shot her.

Another man, Joshua Gordon, 28, was waiting for them in a car. He was the head of a Leicester based organised crime group and had been involved in planning and organising the shooting. 

Huntley pleaded guilty to murder while the three people with him were convicted of murder following a trial. 

A fifth person, Renaldo Daniel Baptiste, 39, was convicted of murder following trial for his part in organising the shooting and sourcing the firearm, whilst Kristina Ginova, 22, a further member of the organised crime group, was also convicted of murder.

The murder happened due to two rival organised crime groups fighting over the illegal drugs trade. The victim had no direct connections to either organised crime group, but the property at which she was shot was being used by both organised crime groups to deal drugs.

Two more defendants, Laura John, 23, and Donna James, 51, were convicted of assisting an offender for aiding Jordan Mills-Smith to leave the area following the murder.

A CPS spokesperson said: “These defendants were prepared to violently confront rival drug dealers and their actions resulted in the tragic death of Joanne Penney. 

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with South Wales Police and presented a strong case to the jury to show that although Huntley was the one who pulled the trigger, his co-defendants were equally culpable of murder. 

“The case may now be concluded, but our thoughts will remain with the family and friends of Joanne, who have suffered a heartbreaking loss.”

Joshua Gordon was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 32 years.

Renaldo Daniel Baptiste was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 42 years.

Marcus Huntley was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years and 146 days.

Jordon Mills-Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 27 years.  

Melissa Quailey-Dashper was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years. 

Kristina Ginova was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years.

Five defendants, Laura John, Donna James, Sai Raj Manne, Molly Ruth Cooper and Callum Kelleher are to be sentenced for offences connected with the murder on 6 July 2026.