A woman and her secret lover have each been handed 19-year prison sentences for a chilling plot to murder her husband inside a static caravan and make his death look like a suicide.
The Brutal Caravan Attack
Michelle Mills, 46, and Geraint Berry, 46, were found guilty of conspiracy to murder following a trial at Swansea Crown Court in October. The court heard how the pair, who had been in a clandestine relationship for three months, meticulously planned the killing of Christopher Mills.
On 20 September last year, police were called to a caravan in Cenarth, Ceredigion, following reports of masked men carrying guns. The assailants, later identified as Berry and an accomplice, Steven Thomas, had entered the property and assaulted Mr Mills.
Despite sustaining a severe beating, Christopher Mills displayed what the judge later called "remarkable fortitude and courage" by fighting off his attackers, who subsequently fled the scene.
A Web of Deceit and Chilling Evidence
Michelle Mills called 999, reporting her husband had a head injury and claiming the armed raiders were strangers to her. However, a swift police response, including armed officers, a dog unit, and a helicopter, led to the apprehension of Berry and Thomas, who were found hiding in undergrowth.
A search of the pair uncovered damning evidence that exposed the plot:
- Two gas masks.
- A typed fake suicide note, purportedly written by Christopher Mills.
- Imitation firearms, pliers, and cable ties used in the raid.
Digital evidence retrieved by investigators revealed the couple had discussed numerous methods to kill Mr Mills over a period of months. Their macabre ideas included poisoning him with antifreeze, using sleeping tablets, suffocating him in his sleep, and even causing his Mini car to explode on start-up.
Sentencing and Lack of Remorse
At the sentencing on Friday 19 December 2025, Mr Justice Nicklin KC told the pair they had shown no remorse and were solely concerned with avoiding capture. The judge stated the gas masks indicated their settled plan was to gas Mr Mills to death while framing it as a suicide.
"You devised the plan and led its execution," the judge told Berry. He told Michelle Mills she had "cultivated and exploited" Berry's animosity towards her husband and encouraged him to "get rid of your husband, not in fantasy but in reality."
Detective Inspector Sam Gregory said the victim was completely unaware his wife of ten years wanted him dead, believing they had a happy marriage. He confirmed the gas masks and fake note were not for intimidation but to stage a fake suicide.
A third defendant, Steven Thomas, 47, was found not guilty of conspiracy to murder but pleaded guilty to a firearms charge. He was sentenced to 12 months but was released immediately due to time already served on remand.
