'Accused believed he was driving to pick up a present'

A MAN accused of murdering a mother initially thought he was driving from Leicester to Cardiff to pick up a birthday present, a court has heard.

- BRYANA FRANCIS Reporter

Melissa Quailey-Dashper told Cardiff Crown Court she told her partner Tony Porter that because she didn’t want him to know he was driving all that way to pick up drugs.Joanne Penney, 40, was shot in the chest at close range when she opened the front door of a house in Llys Illtyd in Talbot Green on March 9. The 40-year-old died moments later.

The prosecution say the killing was part of a “clash” between rival criminal gangs involved in a turf war over drugs. Marcus Huntley, 21, of Orchard Park, St Mellons, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to murdering Miss Penney the day after a trial began.

Jordan Mills-Smith, 33, of Bryn Celyn, Pentwyn, Cardiff; Joshua Gordon, 27, of London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire; Kristina Ginova, 21, of London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire; Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40, of Cordelia Close, Leicester; and Tony Porter, 68, of Burdet Close, Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, all deny murder.