Man appears in court after woman shot dead

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a 40-year-old woman at a block of flats.

Joanne Penney was shot in Talbot Green, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 9 March.

Jordan Mills-Smith from Pentwyn, Cardiff, limped into Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court holding his back, wearing a grey tracksuit.

Four other people have been charged with murder, while a fifth person was charged with assisting an offender.

Mr Mills-Smith, 32, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the brief hearing.

District judge Neale Thomas told the defendant, who had a bald head and short beard, the nature of the charge was so serious it could not be dealt with at a magistrates' court.

Mr Mills-Smith will appear before Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday. There was no application for bail.

He is the sixth person to charged in connection with the shooting of Ms Penney after he was arrested on Friday evening in the Suffolk area.

Four other people have been charged with murder, while a fifth person was charged with assisting an offender.

Marcus Huntley, 20, from St Mellons, Cardiff, was charged with murder.

Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 39, from Leicester was charged with murder.

Joshua Gordon, 27, from Oadby, Leicestershire, was charged with murder.

Tony Porter, 68, from Broanstone Town, Leicestershire was charged with murder and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

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

Ms Penney's family have described her as a daughter, mother, sister and niece who was "deeply loved by all who knew her".

Police are continuing to investigate her death and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Det Ch Supt Ceri Hughes said the force was "continuing to piece together the circumstances behind Joanne's tragic death".