British Holidaymaker Charged with Attempted Murder After Pool Attack in Florida

A British man has been charged with attempted murder following a violent altercation at a vacation rental in Davenport, Florida, where he allegedly tried to drown his daughter-in-law during a family dispute.

Mark Raymond Gibbon, 62, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was arrested on Sunday, August 3, after deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a disturbance at the Solterra Resort on Pine Tree Trail around 5:19pm (local time).

According to the sheriff’s report, Gibbon became embroiled in a heated argument with his 33-year-old daughter-in-law while in the backyard swimming pool of their rental property. The dispute allegedly escalated when Gibbon forcibly pushed the woman’s head underwater multiple times, preventing her from breathing.

The victim’s nine-year-old daughter bravely intervened, jumping into the pool in an attempt to stop her grandfather’s assault. The attack ceased only after two neighbouring holidaymakers from Ohio threatened to call the Sheriff’s Office, prompting Gibbon to stop.

Sheriff’s Statement

Details

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd commented:

“It’s great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same. Because Mr. Gibbon couldn’t control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated.”

Gibbon was taken into custody and booked into Polk County Jail, where he faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery.

Ongoing Investigation

The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that child protection services have been notified given the involvement of minors in the incident.

A spokesperson for the British Consulate in Miami said they are offering consular assistance to Gibbon’s family.