Crime

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

Published

8 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

Portfield Gate man faces careless driving allegation after Tufton crash

Published

40 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A PORTFIELD GATE man has appeared before magistrates accused of failing to stop after a road accident on the B4329.

Tony Mallon, 32, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

He is charged with driving a Peugeot Partner without due care and attention on the B4329 Preselly Mountain Road at Tufton on November 12, 2025.

Mallon is also accused of failing to stop after an accident in which damage was allegedly caused to a Toyota Auris, and failing to report the accident to police within 24 hours.

The case was adjourned at the request of the defence for an intermediary report to be prepared.

Mallon is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 8 for a further pre-trial review.

Crime

Milford Haven man jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order

Published

1 hour ago

June 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed after admitting breaching a domestic violence protection order.

Ryan Carlmain, 33, of Plas Peregrine, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

The court heard that Carlmain breached an order made by the same court on May 14 this year.

The breach took place in Milford Haven on June 10, when he attended an address at Marble Hall Road, contacted the woman concerned three times by telephone, and entered the property through a bathroom window after snapping a key off in the back door.

Carlmain admitted the breach.

Magistrates committed him to prison for two months, saying the offence was so serious because he had shown a “flagrant disregard for court orders”.

He was also ordered to pay £284 in costs, with payment due on his release.

Crime

Worcestershire man jailed after violent attack on woman in Tenby

Published

15 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant was already serving a suspended sentence when serious assault took place

A WORCESTERSHIRE man has been jailed for more than two years after carrying out a serious assault on a woman in Tenby.

Lewis Thompson-Gill, 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm following an incident in the seaside town on December 28 last year.

A jury found Thompson-Gill guilty after a trial, having rejected his not guilty plea to the charge that he unlawfully and maliciously caused the victim serious injury.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the offence was committed while Thompson-Gill was already subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed by Worcester Magistrates’ Court on May 6, 2025.

That earlier sentence related to two breaches of a non-molestation order.

Sentencing Thompson-Gill, Recorder Paul Lewis KC imposed a total prison term of two years and four months.

The sentence comprises 20 months’ imprisonment for the grievous bodily harm offence, together with the activation of an eight-month suspended sentence in full.

The court also ordered Thompson-Gill to pay a victim surcharge of £187, which must be paid within three months of his release from custody.

The assault took place in Tenby during the Christmas period and resulted in injuries serious enough to justify the grievous bodily harm charge.

Thompson-Gill will now serve his sentence in custody.

Caption:

Lewis Thompson-Gill was jailed for a total of two years and four months at Swansea Crown Court (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)