Fifth person charged with the gun murder of Joanne Penney in Talbot Green after being arrested in Suffolk

A fifth person has been charged with the murder of Joanne Penney in Talbot Green, South Wales after being arrested in Suffolk.

Ms Penney, 40, died after being shot in the chest at an address in Llys Illtyd on March 9.

Jordan Mills-Smith, 32, from Pentwyn, Cardiff, has been charged with her murder and appeared before Merthyr Magistrates’ Court today.

He was arrested on Friday in the Suffolk area.

Marcus Huntley, 20, from St Mellons, Cardiff; Melissa Dashpre Quiley, 39, from Leicester; Joshua Gordon, 27, from Oadby, Leicestershire; and Tony Porter, 68, from Braunstone Town, Leicestershire; have already been charged with Ms Penney’s murder.

Kristina Ginova, 21, from Oadby, Leicestershire, has been charged with assisting an offender.

They appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and were remanded into custody.

Mills-Smith, who is bald with a short beard, was wearing a grey tracksuit and limped into the dock holding his back. He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

District Judge Neale Thomas remanded Mills-Smith into custody to appear with the rest of the defendants at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday.

Mr Thomas said: “The nature of this offence means it has to be heard in the crown court.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Ceri Hughes said: “Our team of detectives and specialist staff are continuing to piece together the circumstances behind Joanne’s tragic death and I would still urge anyone who has information, either about her death or what happened at the property in Llys Illtyd on Sunday evening, to come forward – the smallest piece of information could be of vital importance.

“I would like to thank the local community for their support of the investigation so far and to everyone who has spoken to us and provided information.”

Police said Ms Penney’s family has been updated with the additional charge and they continue to be supported by family liaison officers.

In a tribute last week, they said Ms Penney was ‘loved deeply by all who knew her’ and her family were ‘devastated’ by her death.

“Her kindness, strength and love for her family will never be forgotten,” their statement added.