A Ceredigion couple has been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after plotting to murder the wife’s husband in a shocking case of domestic betrayal.
Ethel Michelle Mills, 46, and her lover, Geraint Berry, 46, were convicted of conspiring to kill Christopher Mills, making it appear as a suicide, after the Army veteran bravely fought off the attackers during a violent ambush at their caravan in Cenarth in September 2024. Both received 19-year prison sentences.
Attack and Foiled Plot
Two masked men armed with cable ties, gas masks, and imitation firearms burst into the caravan, attacking Mr Mills. Despite the assault, he defended himself, forcing the intruders to flee. Police later discovered one assailant was Berry, who had been secretly involved in an affair with Mrs Mills, while the other was 47-year-old Steven Thomas, who received a separate sentence for possessing an imitation firearm.
Investigators also uncovered a fake suicide note addressed to Mrs Mills, DNA-matched to her, as well as gas masks, revealing the pair’s intention to disguise the murder as self-inflicted.
Digital Evidence Reveals Chilling Plot
Digital forensic work showed text messages between Mills and Berry detailing ways to kill her husband, including poisoning or using explosives. Following the failed attack, Mills messaged Berry urging him to delete all evidence.
Detective Inspector Sam Gregory noted that the communications proved the couple’s conspiracy was deliberate and premeditated. “This was not a fantasy. They had devised multiple ways to kill Christopher Mills, which were only thwarted by his courage and fortitude,” he said.
Impact on Victim
Mr Mills described the attack as “cold and calculated,” leaving him anxious, withdrawn, and struggling with blurred vision, headaches, and the need for hearing aids. He said scars on his forehead are a constant reminder of the trauma.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Berry, an ex-marine, was convicted of conspiracy to murder and possession of an imitation firearm. Mills received a concurrent 18-month sentence for perverting the course of justice. The judge highlighted the deliberate planning and exploitation of Berry’s animosity by Mills in orchestrating the plot.
Thomas, who played a minor role, was sentenced to 12 months for possessing an imitation firearm.
Senior prosecutor Georgia Jones called the plot “devious, callous and murderous,” praising Mr Mills and witnesses for their role in ensuring justice.
