By M10News International Desk
A British man accused of trying to drown his daughter-in-law during a family holiday to Disney World in Florida has been denied bail after a judge raised concerns over conflicting witness testimony.
Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, remains behind bars in the United States facing charges of attempted second-degree murder and battery.
The alleged victim, 31-year-old Jasmine Wyld — his son Alex’s former partner — claims she feared for her life during the incident at a rented holiday villa in Davenport, near Orlando.
According to police, the confrontation erupted on May 29 this year after an argument reportedly over Gibbon’s will. Authorities allege he repeatedly forced Ms Wyld underwater in the villa’s swimming pool during the dispute.
Detectives say the ordeal escalated when Ms Wyld’s nine-year-old daughter jumped in to try to save her mother. However, Gibbon allegedly shoved the child away, preventing her from intervening.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stated that Ms Wyld initially told investigators she “could not breathe and feared that she would drown.” An arrest affidavit also recorded her saying she had to physically fight Gibbon to escape as he “kept pushing her back under” the water.
Reports later revealed by the Daily Mail suggested that Gibbon and Ms Wyld had been in a romantic relationship for the past two years following the breakdown of both their marriages. The victim shares two children with Alex Gibbon, who is reportedly estranged from his father.
Despite her initial account, Ms Wyld has since given testimony in court describing Gibbon as her “best friend” and a “fantastic grandfather.” Speaking via video link from England, she told the court: “I always felt very safe around Mark and him being around my two children. This has come as a bit of a shock to me. I can only sing his praises.”
Her statement supported a motion from Gibbon’s defence lawyer requesting his release under a court-imposed “no-violence” order.
However, Judge Jalal Harb denied the application, highlighting significant discrepancies between her sworn testimony and her original police statement. “Quite frankly, her testimony is of great concern to this court,” Judge Harb said.
The court heard that Ms Wyld has since returned to the UK, while Gibbon remains in custody at Polk County Jail in Bartow. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is awaiting a further hearing next month.
In a separate account provided by witnesses, two women told Gibbon that police had been called, prompting him to stop the alleged attack. One witness claimed she saw Gibbon “push the victim under the water and hold her there multiple times” and also observed scratches on Ms Wyld’s chest.
US outlet People reported that detectives consider these witness accounts consistent with the initial police statement given by Ms Wyld on the day of the incident.
If convicted of attempted second-degree murder in Florida, Gibbons could face a lengthy prison sentence. The case remains ongoing.
M10News International Desk | Contact:info@m10news.com
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