A British man accused of trying to drown his son’s former partner in a Florida swimming pool will be formally charged with attempted murder on Monday, US court officials have confirmed.
Mark Gibbon, 62, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was arrested on Sunday 3 August at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida, after allegedly forcing Jasmine Wyld, 33, underwater “multiple times” and leaving her with scratches and bruising.
According to police reports, Ms Wyld’s nine-year-old daughter jumped into the pool in an effort to save her mother.
Gibbon, a wealthy lighting engineer who has previously worked with high-profile artists including Mick Jagger and Ed Sheeran, was initially charged with two counts of battery. He now also faces attempted murder in the second degree and could receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Bail and Flight Risk Concerns
Gibbon is expected to apply for bail, but US authorities may oppose the application due to concerns that his wealth and UK citizenship make him a flight risk. If bail is granted, he would be required to surrender his passport and wear an electronic monitoring device.
He is currently being held at Polk County Prison and will appear in court in prison overalls. A high-profile local attorney has reportedly been hired to represent him.
Relationship Allegations Under Investigation
Both Gibbon and Wyld have denied being romantically involved, but US detectives are investigating claims they have been in a relationship for years.
Family members have alleged that during a previous holiday at the same resort, Gibbon’s son Alex Gibbon discovered his wife in bed with his father. It is understood that Ms Wyld may not have been legally married to Alex, with whom she shares two children.
Following that incident, Alex Gibbon was jailed for attempting to run over his father in a Porsche. He was released from prison six months ago.
Sheriff’s Statement
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd commented:
“We expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our life-long 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.”
The alleged altercation is said to have begun after both parties had been drinking heavily and Gibbon told Wyld she would not be the main beneficiary of his will.
If convicted, Gibbon faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars.
