A woman and her secret lover have been sentenced to 19 years in prison each for conspiring to murder her husband in a failed caravan attack in Wales, with the case highlighting a complex plot that unfolded like a television drama.
On September 20, 2024, Christopher Mills was attacked at his static caravan in Cenarth, Carmarthenshire, by two masked men armed with imitation handguns. The assailants, later identified as Geraint Berry and Steven Thomas, assaulted Mills, but he fought back courageously, managing to disarm them and force their retreat. His wife, Michelle Mills, called emergency services shortly after 11:30 PM, reporting that her husband had been injured but claiming ignorance of the attackers’ identities.
The plot was hatched by Michelle Mills and Geraint Berry, who had been engaged in a secret affair for about three months prior to the attack. Text messages between them revealed detailed plans to kill Christopher Mills, including discussions of smothering him with a pillow or poisoning his gravy with antifreeze, so they could start a new life together. Berry, an ex-marine, recruited Thomas to assist in the assault, which was intended to look like a suicide, with items like gas masks and a fake suicide note found in their possession.
During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, it emerged that Michelle Mills had deleted incriminating text messages after the attack, while Berry had retained them, providing crucial evidence. Christopher Mills testified that he was unaware of any marital issues until after the incident, describing his wife as having become distant in the months leading up to the attack. The jury found both Michelle Mills and Geraint Berry guilty of conspiracy to murder, with the judge noting the chilling nature of their communications and the incompetence of their plan.
In victim impact statements, Christopher Mills expressed devastation over his wife’s betrayal and the cold, calculated nature of the plot, stating that he has become anxious, withdrawn, and struggles with trust since the attack. He described the moment he realized his wife’s involvement, when he was falsely arrested on domestic violence charges based on her allegations, as a heart-sinking realization that changed his life forever. Mills added that he seeks a divorce but faces difficulties with his wife incarcerated, and he continues to cope with the trauma of the near-fatal experience.
Detective Inspector Sam Gregory of Dyfed-Powys Police described the investigation as complex, with twists and turns akin to a TV drama, emphasizing that such crimes are rare in rural west Wales. She praised Christopher Mills’s fortitude in fighting off his attackers, which prevented a potentially fatal outcome, and highlighted the thorough police work that led to the convictions. The sentencing on December 19, 2025, brings a measure of closure, but the emotional scars for Christopher Mills are likely to persist.
Steven Thomas, who played a subordinate role in the plot, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for possession of an imitation firearm, a charge he admitted. The judge, Mr. Justice Nicklin KC, emphasized that while Thomas’s involvement was lesser, it was still part of a serious criminal endeavor. The case underscores the dangers of extramarital affairs escalating into violent crime and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of such plots.
Moving forward, Christopher Mills aims to rebuild his life, though he acknowledges it will be a long process, with ongoing psychological effects from the attack. The sentencing provides legal resolution, but the personal fallout continues, highlighting the profound impact of betrayal and violence on individuals and communities. This case has drawn significant media attention, reflecting broader societal issues related to trust, crime, and justice in modern relationships.
