An eighth person has appeared in court in connection with the death of a 40-year-old woman who was shot in a flat.

Joanne Penney was found seriously injured at Green Park in Talbot Green, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on 9 March and died at the scene.

Seven people – five charged with murder, one with assisting an offender and one with participating in the activities of an organised crime group – were previously remanded in custody ahead of a trial.

Molly Cooper, 33, from Leicester, has now been charged with participating in the activities of an organised crime group and acquiring ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, and appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on Monday.

She has been remanded in custody and her case has been linked with the seven other defendants, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for 7 July, with the trial date set to begin on 20 October.

An inquest opening in March heard that Ms Penney died after being shot in the chest, with injuries to her heart and lung.

In a tribute, Ms Penney’s family said they were devastated by the loss.

“Her kindness, strength and love for her family will never be forgotten,” they said.