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.