Plot to Murder: Wife and Former Soldier Sentenced

Michelle Mills and Geraint Berry have each been sentenced to 19 years in prison for their roles in a conspiracy to murder Mills' husband, Christopher Mills. The plot, which involved various methods of killing, culminated in a violent attack on Christopher Mills at a caravan near Newcastle Emlyn in September 2022. Two masked men, Berry and fellow veteran Steven Thomas, attempted to carry out the plan but were thwarted when Christopher Mills managed to disarm them.

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The attack was initially perceived as an armed robbery, prompting a manhunt for the assailants. Berry and Thomas were apprehended shortly after the incident, hiding near the Argoes Meadow campsite. During the investigation, police discovered incriminating evidence, including gas masks, cable-tie handcuffs, and a fake suicide note allegedly written by Christopher Mills. Text messages between Berry and Michelle Mills revealed their discussions about the murder plot, contradicting Mills' claims that the conversations were merely fantasy.

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At Swansea Crown Court, both Mills and Berry were convicted of conspiracy to murder, while Mills was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice for providing false statements to the police. Mr. Justice Nicklin emphasized that the jury determined the discussions between Mills and Berry were serious and not mere fantasies. He noted that Berry had devised a method to stage Christopher Mills' suicide using gas from the caravan, and that Mills had encouraged his actions. The judge credited Christopher Mills' "remarkable fortitude and courage" for preventing the plot from succeeding.

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Both Michelle Mills and Geraint Berry received 19-year sentences, with the stipulation that they would serve two-thirds in custody before being released on license. Steven Derwyn Thomas, who was acquitted of conspiracy to murder but admitted to possessing an imitation firearm, received a 12-month prison sentence. The court described Thomas as a vulnerable individual coping with personal loss at the time of the incident.

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During the trial, Michelle Mills maintained that her conversations with Berry were not serious and that she did not wish any harm to come to her husband. This defense was rejected by the jury, which found the evidence compelling enough to convict both Mills and Berry.

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• “This has pretty much ruined my life.” — Christopher Mills

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The case highlights the severe consequences of premeditated violence and the complexities surrounding domestic relationships. The sentences reflect the court's view of the gravity of the conspiracy and the potential for tragedy that was narrowly avoided.

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