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.

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.”

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.

‘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.