**Two Cardiff Women Charged with Aiding Offender in Connection with Joanne Penney Murder Case**
Two women from Cardiff have been formally charged in the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of Joanne Penney, a mother from Talbot Green who was fatally shot in early March. The developing case has seen several individuals appear before the courts, highlighting the complexity and gravity of this high-profile case.
Joanne Penney, aged 40, was discovered by South Wales Police on the evening of 9 March at a block of flats within Llys Illtyd, Talbot Green. Authorities attending the scene at approximately 6.10pm found Ms Penney deceased in the lounge of her residence. A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed she had died from a gunshot wound to the left side of her chest, affecting both her heart and left lung.
The incident, which shocked the Talbot Green community, has led to an extensive police operation. At a hearing held at Cardiff Crown Court on 7 July, seven individuals—facing charges ranging from murder to involvement in organised crime—entered not guilty pleas. These proceedings mark only one chapter in the investigation as authorities continue to gather evidence and unravel the complex circumstances surrounding the case.
Latest updates provided by South Wales Police confirm that two further suspects have now been implicated. Laura John, 22, of Rhiwbina, and Donna James, 50, of Llanishen, both in Cardiff, have each been charged with assisting an offender in relation to the murder investigation. These charges suggest the possibility of a broader network of involvement, as the case continues to unfold.
Both John and James were scheduled to appear before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 16 July to respond to the charges. Their addition brings the total number of individuals charged in connection to Ms Penney’s death to ten, underscoring the scale and penetration of the investigation.
Others already charged include Joshua Gordon, 27, of Oadby, Leicestershire, who has pled not guilty to both murder and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. Marcus Huntley, 20, of St Mellons, Cardiff, Jordan Mills-Smith, 32, of Pentwyn, Cardiff, and Kristina Ginova, 21, also of Oadby, all face similar charges and have maintained their innocence. Additionally, Tony Porter, 68, of Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, and Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 39, from Leicester, have also denied the charges against them.
Furthermore, Sai Raj Manne, 25, currently of no fixed abode, and Molly Cooper, 33, from Leicester, have both pleaded not guilty to charges related to the possession, purchase, or acquisition of a firearm, as well as participation in organised crime activity.
Presiding over the case, the Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, ordered that all those previously charged remain in custody, pending further legal proceedings.
This case remains a focus of intense public interest and police attention, not least due to the violent circumstances of Joanne Penney’s death and the apparent organised nature of the alleged criminal activities. As charges continue to accumulate and more individuals are brought before the courts, the investigation appears far from over.
South Wales Police have reiterated their commitment to seeking justice for Ms Penney and her family, encouraging anyone with further information to come forward. As legal proceedings progress, the community in Talbot Green and beyond awaits further developments in this complex and tragic case.