Chaddleworth pair David and Katie Mills invaded woman’s home to assault her

A COURTROOM rang to the hysterical screams of a woman, filmed as a couple burst into her home and battered her.

The terrifying home invasion, which led to a sustained attack, was triggered by a feud over alleged intimidation.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 5, were David Mills and Katie Mills, also known as Katie Byres, of Norris Field, Chaddleworth.

The court heard that the pair had turned up outside the home of victims Craig and Ashleigh Edwards in St Andrew’s Close, Chaddleworth, with 33-year-old Ms Mills bent on revenge for a perceived slight against her family.

What happened next was captured on ‘Ring’ doorbell footage screened in court.

Ms Mills can be heard saying: “It’s this house… this one,” as her husband tries to restrain her.

When Mrs Edwards comes to the front door, Ms Mills launches into an alcohol-fuelled rant, shouting: “I’m going to get you, do you understand?

“I’m going to f****** kill you.”

Mrs Edwards initially asks: “Have you been driving like that?”

However she adds, in a conciliatory tone: “Look, we’re not bad people and you’re not bad people – we don’t want this.”

Mills then rushes into the home, out of sight of the camera, amid thuds, piercing shrieks and screams

Mr Mills, a 38-year-old lorry driver, then also rushes in and snarls: “You touch my f****** wife again, I’ll f****** kill you.”

As the footage was screened in court the sound of struggling, punctuated by hysterical screams and pleas of “get out of my house”, continued for around five minutes.

In a victim impact statement Mrs Edwards said she had needed hospital treatment for the injuries inflicted on her and added: “They forced their way into my property – I’m worried they will come back and let themselves in.

“Every time I hear a door knock I’m scared they’re at my front door again.”

She also described how her husband was assaulted.

Ms Mills admitted assaulting Mrs Edwards by beating her on November 23 last year.

Mr Mills admitted assaulting both Mr and Mrs Edwards on the same occasion.

Sally Thomson, defending both, said Ms Mills had been mixing prescribed medication with alcohol, resulting in a “manic episode”.

She added: “This wasn’t the way to deal with the situation; it was a highly regrettable and distressing incident.”

Ms Thomson said the degree of remorse they felt had perhaps not been properly reflected in a pre-sentence report and that both had been shocked to see the Ring doorbell footage.

Her clients had both been under great strain because of domestic circumstances, the court heard.

Describing the assaults as “sustained”, district judge Samuel Goozee told Ms Mills: “Your sole intent was to deal out summary justice.”

He acknowledged that Mr Mills initially tried to restrain his partner but then “saw red” and forced his way into the Edwards’ home to assault them both.

It was lucky the Edwards’ injuries had not been even more severe, added Judge Goozee.

He made both Mr and Ms Mills subject to a 12-month community order.

Ms Mills was required to complete 80 hours of unpaid community work and her husband, 60 hours.

In addition they were ordered to pay £85 costs each.

Mr Mills was ordered to pay both Mr and Mrs Edwards £100 compensation each.

Mrs Mills was ordered to pay Mrs Edwards £100 compensation.

Finally, the Mills were both made subject to a 12-month restraining order preventing them from contacting the Edwards or from going to their home.