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Brutal attack in rural caravan park
Christopher Mills, a 55-year-old former soldier, fought off two masked assailants who broke into his caravan in Cenarth, Carmarthenshire, on September 20, 2024. The attackers, armed with a gun, bludgeoned him before fleeing into the night. Mills initially believed the assault was a robbery, unaware his wife had masterminded the plot.
Wife and lover convicted of conspiracy
Michelle Mills, 46, from Llangennech, and her secret lover, Geraint Berry, also 46, an ex-marine from Clydach, were sentenced to 19 years each in September 2024 for conspiracy to murder. The pair, who met while working at a veterans' homeless charity, had discussed killing Mills by smothering him with a pillow or poisoning his food during their three-month affair.
A third man, Steven Thomas, 47, from Blaengwynfi, was acquitted of conspiracy but received a 12-month sentence for carrying an imitation firearm. Thomas, recruited by Berry, was told the attack would stage Mills' suicide.
Plot uncovered after botched raid
Mills described the night of the attack as surreal. After answering a late-night knock, he was struck in the face with a heavy metal gun. Despite the assault, he managed to fight off the intruders. In his emergency call, he urged police to send an armed response, fearing the attackers might still be nearby.
Caravan park owner Rita Owens arrived to find Mills bloodied and in shock. She recalled Michelle Mills appearing indifferent, focused on her phone rather than her injured husband. Owens later told reporters, "They seemed like a happy couple, but clearly, they weren't."
Arrest and betrayal
The following day, Mills was arrested on false domestic violence allegations made by his wife. It was then he realized Michelle was involved in the plot. "My heart sank," he said. "I knew instantly she was behind it."
Police revealed Michelle's affair with Berry and her role in the conspiracy. Mills, who had noticed his wife growing distant in the months prior, was devastated. "I never imagined she was capable of this," he said. "Everything seemed fine until June 2024."
Trial reveals chilling messages
During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, over 100 pages of texts between Michelle Mills and Berry were presented as evidence. In one message, Berry wrote, "We will watch him die and then come home and chill for the rest of the weekend together." Hours before the attack, Mills texted Berry, "Sorry u know what ur doing, and I trust you." After the failed assault, her final message read, "Police have been called, delete all communications, I love you...".
Michelle Mills claimed the plot was a "fantasy" and an "escape from reality," accusing her husband of being controlling. Mills, however, testified that he had fallen out of love with her. "I could never forgive her," he said. "It's a nightmare that won't end."
Aftermath and recovery
Mills, who attended the trial daily, struggles with sleep and avoids going out alone. He is seeking a divorce but faces delays due to his wife's imprisonment. "I'll be glad when this chapter closes," he said. "But it's going to take a long time."
Detective Inspector Sam Gregory of Dyfed-Powys Police called the case "complex," noting its dramatic twists. "This type of crime doesn't happen in rural west Wales," she said. "It was real, and it could have been fatal."
