£15 Driver Convicted for Role in Mistaken Identity Murder in South Wales

A 69-year-old man was paid only £15 to drive people involved in a mistaken identity murder. He will likely be released soon.
By Newsroom | Crime, South Wales |

A 69-year-old man, Tony Porter, has been convicted of participating in an organised crime gang’s activities after being paid £10 or £15 to transport individuals involved in the mistaken identity shooting death of Joanne Penney, a 40-year-old mother of four. Porter, who drove from the Leicester area to South Wales in his Nissan Note, waited in his car while the events unfolded.

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== A jury found Porter not guilty of murder and manslaughter==, but convicted him of involvement with an organised crime group. Due to time already served, Porter is expected to be released on license.

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The shooting occurred as Ms. Penney, a former shopworker, answered her door. Gunman Marcus Huntley, 21, has pleaded guilty to murder. Co-defendants Joshua Gordon, Jordan Mills-Smith, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, and Kristina Ginova were found guilty of Ms. Penney's murder following a three-and-a-half-month trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

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The Case's Narrative

Porter's defense presented a situation of personal hardship, stating he had lost his job and home, and was living in his car before his involvement. He reportedly began his association with the crime group after a relationship with Quailey-Dashper. He told the jury he was not involved in drug dealing prior to this, and that he had not taken drugs himself. The prosecution described Porter as "very helpful" and "cheap" to the gang for his perceived lack of questioning.

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The convicted individuals in the murder include:

  • Marcus Huntley, 21 (pleaded guilty to murder)

  • Joshua Gordon, 27

  • Jordan Mills-Smith, 33

  • Melissa Quailey-Dashper, 40

  • Kristina Ginova, 22

On the day of the killing, Porter had driven Quailey-Dashper, Gordon, Huntley, and Mills-Smith to a McDonald's near the crime scene, and then transported them away after the shooting, eventually driving back to Leicester with Quailey-Dashper and Gordon. Huntley reportedly took a selfie with the pistol the day before the murder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Tony Porter and what was he convicted of in relation to the South Wales murder?
Tony Porter, 69, was convicted of being involved in an organised crime group. He was paid £10 or £15 to drive members of the group who were involved in the mistaken identity shooting death of Joanne Penney in South Wales.
Q: What was Tony Porter's role in the mistaken identity killing of Joanne Penney?
Porter drove gang members, including the gunman Marcus Huntley, to a McDonald's near the crime scene and then drove them away after the shooting. He was paid a small amount, £10 or £15, for his transport services.
Q: Was Tony Porter found guilty of murder or manslaughter for Joanne Penney's death?
No, a jury found Tony Porter not guilty of murder and manslaughter. He was convicted only of involvement with an organised crime group.
Q: What happens to Tony Porter now?
Due to the time he has already spent in custody, Tony Porter is expected to be released on license soon. He was described by the prosecution as 'very helpful' and 'cheap' to the gang.
Q: Who else was convicted for the mistaken identity murder of Joanne Penney in South Wales?
The gunman, Marcus Huntley (21), pleaded guilty to murder. Joshua Gordon (27), Jordan Mills-Smith (33), Melissa Quailey-Dashper (40), and Kristina Ginova (22) were found guilty of Ms. Penney's murder after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.