Llanelli: Wife and lover talked about ‘poisoning’ husband

Texts were sent between a woman and her lover talking about poisoning her husband by putting “antifreeze in his gravy”, a jury has heard.

Ethel Mills, known as Michelle, 46, from Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, denies conspiring to murder Christopher Mills, also ex-forces, with Geraint Berry, 46, from Swansea, and Steven Thomas, 47, from Blaengwynfi, Neath Port Talbot.

Mr Mills was attacked at the couple’s caravan in Cenarth, Carmarthenshire, on 20 September 2024 by two masked men with guns, gas masks, gloves and cable ties.

Texts from Geraint Berry read to the court showed him saying he wanted to kill Christopher Mills and how he could “pay someone” to do it.

In Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, the jury was read text messages that revealed “the extent of the personal and sexual relationship” between Mrs Mills and Mr Berry, according to prosecutor Jonathan Rees KC.

Messages revealed the start of their affair in 2024 with texts becoming “increasingly more explicit” according to the prosecution.

Messages from Geraint Berry to Michelle Mills included: “I love you a lot and I hate how he treats you,” referring to Mr Mills.

Other texts from Geraint Berry said that Mr Mills “should just die” and “I’m going to hurt him so badly cause he’s acting like a kid.”

Mr Berry also said he would “do time” for Mrs Mills.

He added: “All you need to do is to say OK and it will be done”, and said with explicit language that he could “pay someone” to give Chris a visit.

Messages from Michelle Berry said: “He’s [Christopher Mills] been checking my pockets without my knowledge, I let him check my phone.

“He’s banging on that I have a man in Scotland. I need him gone one way or another,” she added.

A message also showed Geraint Berry telling Ms Mills to crush up sleeping tablets and putting them in Christopher Mills’ drink and putting “antifreeze in his gravy”.

Texts from Geraint Berry read: “Well I can poison him or arrange someone to shoot him, and I’m not joking babe.” Ms Mills responded: “I don’t want you or me getting in trouble”.

Geraint Berry said they should “kill him together” and that if Mrs Mills got the “urge to smother him” she should “make sure he’s died”.

The trial continues.