Crime

Wife and lover ‘planned to poison husband with antifreeze in his dinner’, court told

Published

5 months ago

October 11, 2025

A JURY has heard how a Carmarthenshire woman and her lover exchanged messages about poisoning her husband with “antifreeze in his gravy” before he was later attacked by masked men at the couple’s caravan.

Swansea Crown Court was told that Ethel “Michelle” Mills, aged 46, from Llangennech, conspired with her partner Geraint Berry, also 46, from Swansea, and Steven Thomas, 47, of Blaengwynfi, Neath Port Talbot, to kill her husband, former soldier Christopher Mills.

Mr Mills was assaulted at his caravan in Cenarth, Carmarthenshire, on 20 September 2024. Two men wearing masks, gloves, gas masks and carrying cable ties forced their way in and attacked him.

‘Antifreeze in the gravy’

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees KC told the jury that police later discovered hundreds of text messages between Mrs Mills and Mr Berry which laid bare their relationship and apparent plans to harm her husband.

In one exchange, Berry suggested crushing sleeping pills into Mr Mills’ drink or adding antifreeze to his food. He also claimed he could “pay someone” to kill him.

Berry wrote that he loved Mrs Mills and hated how her husband treated her, saying he wanted to “hurt him badly” and would “do time” for her. In another message he said: “All you need to do is say OK and it will be done.”

Mrs Mills allegedly replied that she “needed him gone one way or another.”

‘Kill him together’

Jurors heard that Berry later told Mrs Mills they should “kill him together” and that if she ever felt the urge to smother her husband, she should “make sure he’s died.”

Other messages showed Berry plotting to poison or shoot Mr Mills, adding: “We will watch him die and then come home and chill for the rest of the weekend.”

In one message, Berry allegedly referred to Mr Mills as “your husband but my problem” and said: “Every day he’s alive, the more I want to end him for good.”

The court was told Berry contacted another man, Paul Kershaw, asking for “three bullets and a gun” or advice on how to make a Mini Cooper “go boom.”

Day of the attack

On the morning of the assault, Steven Thomas reportedly texted Berry: “We are 100% going tonight, brother. Got my kit ready.”

Later that day, Berry messaged Mrs Mills: “I’ll kill him, cause he’s not to touch you, you’re my queen.”

She allegedly responded: “I am encouraging him to drink, so hopefully he will be asleep before long.”

The jury heard her final message before the assault read: “Sorry, you know what you’re doing, and I trust you.” Berry replied: “We are here.”

After the attack, Mrs Mills texted: “Police have been called, delete all communications, I love you. Chris did not recognise you or the other one. I won’t say anything.”

‘Fantasy that went too far’

During police interview at Haverfordwest Police Station, Mrs Mills told detectives she never believed the plan would happen in real life, describing the conversations as “fantasy talk” and claiming Berry suffered from post-traumatic stress and psychosis.

She said: “I never wanted my husband to be hurt. It was just something I could escape into.”

The trial continues.

Crime

Woman fined over £1,000 for illegally collecting rent without a licence

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST woman has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 after admitting to unlawfully collecting rent at a property she was not licensed to manage.

Majeda Sikdar appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court where she pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place at a property on Tasker Way in the town last April.

The court handed Sikdar a total bill of £1,046, made up of a £293 fine, £636 in costs, and a £117 surcharge.

Crime

Dangerous driver sentenced following a police chase through Carmarthenshire streets

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A DANGEROUS driver has been sentenced after attempting to evade the police and hitting speeds of up to 70mph in residential streets.

Liam Williams, 31, from Station Road in Llanelli, was arrested on February 23 after he failed to stop for officers whilst driving without a valid licence and under the influence of drugs.

His black Jaguar XF was spotted travelling along New Dock Road, Llanelli, at around 2am. Williams quickly accelerated away from officers after turning into a residential area. Despite being warned to stop with blue lights, he reached an estimated speed of 50mph over the speed bumps on the 20mph road.

He then cut across a junction and turned on to the 40mph coastal road on the wrong side of a bollard. He continued to reach around 80mph to try and get away from pursuing officers.

Williams was unaware that Dyfed-Powys officers had set up a stinger site to puncture his tyres further along the road. He sped through the stinger site and continued towards the sandpiper roundabout. He reached speeds of 70mph and then appeared to lose control of the car at the roundabout. Officers noted that his front offside tyre was deflated and his brake disc was red hot and sparking.

Despite this, Williams exited the roundabout towards Llanelli town centre and appeared to lose control again. Officers attempted to pass him as he accelerated back up to speeds around 50mph on the 20mph road. Williams turned into smaller side streets to try and escape but was quickly followed by supporting officers.

As he returned to the main road towards Llanelli town centre, officers moved to box the vehicle in. The pursuit quickly came to an end and Williams was arrested for multiple offences.

A drug wipe showed that Williams was under the influence of cocaine. A further blood specimen was taken in custody, before he was charged and remanded.

He appeared in Llanelli Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10th March. He was found guilty of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Williams was handed a 34-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for 34 months, followed by an extended re-test. He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay £85 in court costs and a £187 surcharge.

Crime

Man jailed for romance fraud after conning three women out of nearly £50,000

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARDIFF man who used fake identities on dating sites to defraud three women of almost £50,000 has been jailed.

Rodney Roberts, aged 40, of Trowbridge, Cardiff, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court to five years and one month in prison after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation.

Officers from the Proactive Economic Crime Team at the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), working with South Wales Police, found that Roberts defrauded three victims of a combined £49,580 between 2021 and 2024. He contacted the women through online dating and social media platforms while using the false name “Paul Smith”.

Roberts first contacted a victim in February 2021. He initially claimed to be an American from California working in the UK as an attorney and financier. He later told the victim this was merely a cover story and that he was in fact an intelligence agent. Roberts claimed that because of his work he did not have direct control of his finances and asked the victim for financial help.

During the relationship he persuaded the woman to invest money in a fictitious investment company. He also assisted her in selling her home so she could invest more money into the scheme and encouraged her to open a bank account in her name for him to use. Unknown to the victim, Roberts also opened a cryptocurrency account in her name.

Roberts contacted a second victim in October 2022. Again he encouraged her to invest in what he claimed was a lucrative opportunity promising high returns. He showed her screenshots which appeared to show the investment growing in value, but these images were fabricated. Throughout the relationship Roberts repeatedly gave excuses for why he was unable to repay the money.

He contacted a third victim in March 2024, this time claiming to be an American television producer working for the BBC on a two-year visa. Roberts told the victim he was struggling to access his American bank accounts and asked for money to help him put down a deposit on a flat. As before, he used fake screenshots of accounts to convince her the investment was genuine, before providing excuses as to why the borrowed money could not be returned.

The third victim eventually became suspicious and carried out online searches, which led her to two historic news reports detailing previous fraud offences committed by Roberts under the alias Paul Smith. She then contacted South Wales Police.

Detective Constable Amanda Davies, of Tarian ROCU, said romance fraud was a growing and highly damaging crime.

“Offenders deliberately exploit trust and vulnerability,” she said. “Victims are often left with not only significant financial losses but also psychological distress and embarrassment, which can prevent them from reporting the offence.

“I am pleased with the sentence handed down today and hope it sends a message to others who would behave in such an abhorrent way for financial gain.

“I would also like to recognise the courage shown by the victims in helping us pursue a conviction and bring Roberts to justice.”

DC Davies urged anyone forming relationships online to remain cautious.

“Common warning signs include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or by video call, or pressure to keep a relationship secret. Another warning sign is ‘love bombing’, where a new or prospective partner overwhelms someone with excessive attention, affection or grand gestures early in the relationship.

“Fraudsters are skilled at creating narratives that sound believable. If something feels too good to be true, trust your instincts and speak to friends or family.

“If you believe you may have been a victim of romance fraud, report it to Action Fraud.”

She added that Tarian ROCU would continue to pursue fraudsters and bring them before the courts.