Crime

Wife accused of murder plot says ‘fantasy’ talk with lover turned into real-life attack

Published

5 months ago

October 16, 2025

A CARMARTHENSHIRE woman accused of conspiring with her secret lover to murder her husband has told a jury the alleged plot was nothing more than “a fantasy” that spiralled out of control.

Ethel “Michelle” Mills, aged 46, of Llangennech, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court alongside ex-Royal Marine Geraint Berry, 46, from Clydach, and Steven Thomas, 47, from Blaengwynfi. All three deny conspiring to murder her husband, Christopher Mills, a former soldier.

The court heard that on the night of September 20, 2024, two masked men armed with imitation handguns forced their way into a static caravan in Cenarth, Carmarthenshire, where Mr Mills and his wife were sitting watching television. The intruders carried a rucksack containing gas masks, pliers, cable ties, and other items described by police as a “kill kit”.

Mr Mills was struck in the face but managed to fight off his attackers, who fled into nearby woodland. Officers arrived soon afterwards and found Berry and Thomas hiding in undergrowth close to the caravan site.

A forged suicide note, purporting to be from Mr Mills and addressed to his wife, was recovered from one of the men.

***The defendants had allegedly planned to murder Christopher (Pic: WNS)***

Secret affair and insurance policy

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees KC told the court that Mills had been in a clandestine relationship with Berry for around three months before the assault. Both had served in the armed forces and were said to have met through the veterans’ charity Alabare, where Mills worked as a regional manager and Berry was receiving support.

Their affair allegedly began in June 2024. Weeks later, Mr Mills took out a £124,000 Help for Heroes life insurance policy, naming his wife as the sole beneficiary. The attack took place barely a month after the policy came into force.

The court was told Berry had shared his violent fantasies with Mills in text messages. He allegedly urged her to smother her husband with a pillow or poison him with antifreeze. In other messages, Berry told Mills he wanted to “put her husband in the ground”.

When questioned about the exchanges, Mills told jurors they were never meant to be taken seriously. “It was an escape from reality,” she said. “It wasn’t a fact; it wasn’t going to happen. I never wanted Chris killed. It was a fantasy.”

***Police found gas masks following the armed raid, jurors heard (Pic: WNS)***

The attack and capture

Mr Mills, unaware of his wife’s affair, answered a knock at the caravan door shortly after 9:00pm. Two men wearing masks and carrying replica firearms burst inside, demanding he kneel. When he refused, he was hit in the face and a struggle ensued.

Despite his injuries, Mr Mills managed to overpower the men and drive them from the caravan. Police later discovered Berry and Thomas hiding nearby, both soaked and muddy. Alongside their weapons, officers found pliers, cable ties, cloths, gas masks with filter canisters, and a telescopic gun sight.

***Stephen Thomas was allegedly recruited for the plot (Pic: WNS)***

‘I’m going to prison for this’

According to other reports read in court, Mills later messaged Berry telling him: “Police have been called. Get away. Delete all contact on both phones. I love you.” She also allegedly warned her son not to mention Berry’s name, saying: “I’m going to prison for this, aren’t I?”

Prosecutors claim she later deleted messages and gave officers a false account, leading to an additional charge of perverting the course of justice.

Berry and Thomas have admitted possessing an imitation firearm but deny any intention to kill.

Claims of abuse and denial

Mills told the court that her husband had been controlling and had sexually assaulted her during their marriage, which began in 2018. She claimed her messages with Berry were a way of coping with her situation.

“I didn’t want anyone hurt,” she said. “It was talk between two people who were unhappy and looking for a way out, not a real plan.”

The court also heard allegations that Berry had made enquiries about buying ammunition and even asked an ex-military supplier how to “blow up” a Mini Cooper — the type of car driven by Mr Mills.

Prosecutors allege there were at least two aborted attempts on earlier nights before the final attack went ahead.

The aftermath

Following the failed assault, Mr Mills told police he had “no idea” his wife was involved and had thought their marriage was stable. Officers later seized both her and Berry’s phones, recovering fragments of deleted messages.

All three defendants deny conspiracy to murder. Mills also denies perverting the course of justice.

The trial, expected to last three weeks, continues at Swansea Crown Court.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

8 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.