Crime

Two found guilty of conspiracy to murder after armed hit on caravan

Published

5 months ago

October 21, 2025

TWO people who plotted an armed hit on a caravan in Ceredigion have been found guilty of conspiracy to murder following a two-week trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard how Michelle Mills and Geraint Berry planned to kill Christopher Mills so they could continue their affair.

A third defendant, Steven Thomas, who was alleged to have been recruited by Berry to assist with the plan, was found not guilty of conspiracy to murder. He had earlier admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause Mr Mills to believe that unlawful violence would be used against him or another person.

Prosecutors said Mills and Berry intended to murder Mr Mills and stage the scene to look like a suicide.

Armed attack

Dyfed-Powys Police received a 999 call shortly after 11:30pm on September 20, 2024, reporting that two masked men armed with guns had entered a caravan in Cenarth and attacked Mr Mills.

Despite being badly beaten, the victim fought the two men off before they fled.
The emergency call came from Michelle Mills, aged 46, who claimed her husband had sustained a head injury and said the masked men were unknown to her.

Armed officers, dog units and the NPAS helicopter were deployed and quickly located Berry, aged 46, and Thomas, aged 47, hiding in nearby undergrowth.

They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. Officers found gas masks and a fake suicide note addressed to Mills, purporting to have been written by her husband.

The investigation

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department launched a major inquiry which soon established that Mills, of Maes Ty Gwyn, Llangennech, Llanelli, had helped plan the attack.

Although she initially claimed she had “no idea” why her husband was targeted, investigators discovered she was fully aware of the ambush and had been in a relationship with Berry for around three months.

Digital forensic work uncovered messages between Mills and Berry discussing ways to kill Mr Mills. One message from August 7 read that he “should just die”.

By August 9, the pair were plotting how Berry could arrange a “hit” on Mr Mills. Mills spoke of poisoning him with sleeping tablets, while Berry sought a gun with a suppressor and even asked how to make a Mini Cooper S explode on starting — the model her husband drove.

When Berry told Mills he was meeting “the boys” to plan “what they are going to do with him,” she replied: “Yes, lovely, thank you.”
Her only concern was that they did not get caught.

Crucial evidence

Detective Inspector Sam Gregory of Dyfed-Powys Police said the digital evidence proved decisive: “The communication between Mills and Berry made it clear that since June 2024 they had begun a secret relationship. Berry, encouraged by Mills, became increasingly obsessed with harming her husband.

“Although Mills later claimed the talk of murder was fantasy, the pair made repeated, detailed plans to kill him.”

Messages showed two aborted attempts to reach Mr Mills’ caravan on August 28 and 29, with Berry injuring his knee during one visit. On the third attempt, September 20, Mills told Berry she would get her husband drunk so he would fall asleep.

Berry texted to say he had arrived at the caravan park moments before the attack. After the intruders fled, Mills messaged him: “Police have been called, get away, delete all communications … please on both phones … I love you.”

DI Gregory said Berry and Mills had also discussed using gas to make Mr Mills’ death appear to be suicide. Both Berry and Thomas carried gas masks, and officers later found the fake suicide note.

“What’s clear,” DI Gregory said, “is that these items were not intended to frighten Mr Mills — they were part of a plan to fake his suicide.”

Guilty verdicts

Mills was arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder her husband. When detained, she reportedly told officers: “I’m going to prison for this, aren’t I?”

Berry and Thomas, both of Clos Coffa, Clydach, faced the same charge, which all three denied.

After a two-week trial, the jury found Michelle Mills and Geraint Berry guilty of conspiracy to murder.

Steven Thomas was found not guilty of that charge but had previously admitted the firearm offence.

DI Gregory said: “While this case has all the makings of a TV drama, it was a very real conspiracy to take someone’s life. Mills and Berry plotted not one, but three attempts to kill Mr Mills.

“Thanks to the courage of the victim and the diligence of our officers, those responsible will now face the consequences.”

Michelle Mills, Geraint Berry and Steven Thomas will be sentenced on December 19.

Crime

Man fined after vessel collision in Milford Haven

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Court Reporter

A NEWPORT man has been fined thousands of pounds after admitting a series of harbour safety offences following a vessel collision in Milford Haven.

Nolan Orford, aged 51, Bishton Village, Newport, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5).

The court heard that the offences took place on June 4, 2025, when Orford was navigating a vessel named Andy 02 within the Milford Haven Waterway.

Prosecutors, acting on behalf of the Milford Haven Port Authority, said Orford failed to comply with directions lawfully given by the harbourmaster under the Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983 and the Milford Haven Byelaws 1984.

The first offence related to the manner in which the vessel was navigated. The court was told that Andy 02 was manoeuvred in such a way that it caused damage, danger or inconvenience to other users of the Haven, resulting in a collision with another vessel.

Orford also admitted failing to report the collision to the harbourmaster immediately after the incident, despite being the master of the vessel and required to do so under harbour regulations.

A further offence concerned an act affecting the safety of navigation in the Haven, after Andy 02 struck a vessel that was on its moorings.

Orford had originally denied the charges but changed his pleas to guilty on February 17.

Magistrates fined him £1,125 for the first offence and a further £1,125 for the third offence relating to the safety of navigation.

He was also fined £750 for failing to report the collision.

In addition, Orford was ordered to pay £6,000 in prosecution costs and a £1,200 surcharge to fund victim services.

The court made a collection order and allowed the total amount to be paid at a rate of £100 per month starting from April 2.

The offences were brought under Section 23 of the Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983 and various Milford Haven Byelaws governing navigation safety within the Haven.

Speaking after the case, the Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, Mike Ryan said: “We are responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of the Waterway. Most users comply with the byelaws and navigational requirements, which exist to protect all who operate on or enjoy the Haven.

“We encourage anyone who is unsure of their responsibilities to consult the guidance available online. Users who do not comply with these byelaws may be subject to legal action.

“This incident is a reminder to everyone using the Waterway of their obligations: to always maintain a proper lookout, to navigate at a safe and appropriate speed, and to take early and decisive action to avoid the risk of collision.

“And, in the event of any collision or incident, users are legally required to report the matter to the Harbourmaster without delay. We will act, including pursuing prosecution when necessary, to keep everyone safe.”

The Port of Milford Haven is responsible for managing the safe use of the Milford Haven Waterway within the defined port limits. The Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983 and the Milford Haven Harbour Byelaws 1984 provide the legal framework for these responsibilities and give the authority power to prosecute those who endanger the safe use of the Waterway.

Crime

Neighbour nuisance case adjourned after defendant reported unwell

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN resident accused of repeatedly breaching a community protection notice has had his case adjourned after failing to attend court due to illness.

Tania Evans, of James Street, Hakin, Milford Haven, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5).

The defendant, who was not present and is not in custody, faces six charges brought by Pembrokeshire County Council relating to alleged breaches of a community protection notice.

The court heard that the allegations relate to repeated incidents at a property in Hakin between October and December last year.

Evans is accused of failing to comply with the conditions of a community protection notice by allowing excessive noise and disruptive behaviour to occur at the address.

According to the charges, Evans allegedly failed to ensure that loud music, abusive shouting, excessive noise, or intimidating behaviour by himself or visitors to the property did not create an unreasonable disturbance for people living nearby.

The alleged breaches are said to have taken place on six occasions: October 28, December 3, December 9, December 23, December 25 and December 31, 2025.

In one of the later incidents, it is further alleged that Evans failed to ensure people at the property did not act in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in the neighbourhood through amplified music, shouting or intimidation.

Each charge relates to an alleged breach of a community protection notice issued under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Community protection notices are powers used by local authorities and police to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.

Magistrates were told that the defence requested an adjournment because the defendant was unwell and unable to attend court.

The bench granted the request but warned that the case would proceed if Evans failed to attend the next hearing.

All six matters were adjourned to Thursday, April 2 at 11:00am at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Woman sentenced after being found ‘drooling’ in parked car following drug use

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Motorist admitted being in charge of vehicle while unfit through drugs

A WOMAN has been sentenced after being found “drooling” in a parked car after taking a cocktail of drugs.

Police and ambulance crews were called by a concerned member of the public who reported seeing a man and woman apparently unconscious inside a Suzuki Alto parked in Kilgetty on October 16.

“The male and female appeared to be unconscious and were drooling from their mouths,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The engine wasn’t running, but the member of the public was concerned that when they roused, they might attempt to drive away.

“She thought it was possible they had taken an overdose.”

When police arrived around 30 minutes later, they found the pair still slumped over in the back seat of the vehicle.

“They were still drooling and appeared unconscious,” continued Ms Vaughan.

“When officers spoke to Elizabeth King, it was obvious she was confused and inconsistent about the events.”

Subsequent drug tests showed that King, 32, of Meadow View, Station Road, St Clears, had several drugs in her system, including cocaine, benzoylecgonine, EME, pregabalin and norcocaine.

King pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

Representing her in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd told magistrates that the defendant is a recovering heroin addict.

“Despite this addiction, she has managed to remain of previous good character,” he said.

“This is the first time she has appeared before the court.”

King was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 surcharge. Her driving licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.