A mother-of-two in a relationship with her father-in-law has pleaded with US authorities to release him after he was arrested on suspicion of trying to drown her.
Newly released court footage shows Jasmine Wyld, 33, urging prosecutors to free Mark Gibbon, who has been charged with attempted murder.
Wyld was previously engaged to his son Alex, with whom she shares two children, but the pair separated in 2021.
While on holiday near Disney World, Gibbon allegedly tried to push Wyld under the water following an argument reportedly sparked by a dispute over a will.
According to police, his nine-year-old granddaughter attempted to rescue her mother and jumped into the pool, but Gibbon pushed her away.
Speaking from her home in Buckinghamshire, Wyld described Gibbon as a “good man” who “adores his family.”
She said: “Obviously I’ve been through a lot, mentally, with what’s going on and I’m still in a state of shock because I look upon Mark as a very trusting character, as a good man.
“He adores his family, nothing was ever too much trouble for him and I can’t speak of the events that took place that day — I guess only Mark can.
“But all I can say is what a wonderful grandfather he was to the grandchildren and he was my best friend. I had complete trust in him.”
The Daily Mail reported that Gibbon and Wyld have been in a relationship for the past two years, after both of their marriages ended.
Social services have since contacted the family following the disclosure of their relationship.
Wyld told the court: “Back here in England, what we call social services have contacted me and there will be involvement with the social services here in the UK.
“I don’t know the rules as of yet as I’ve not met with the lady that’s going to come round and talk to me.
“Obviously this case has hit England and it’s been made public knowledge to pretty much the entire world.
“I can’t speak on behalf of what the conditions will be like here back in England because the social services have their duties of care so unfortunately I can’t speak solely on that.
“However, as I’ve said, I’ve never felt fearful of Mark prior to this or felt unsafe and he’s been great with the grandchildren.”
Police said two women told Gibbons they had contacted officers, prompting him to stop the alleged attack. He was then taken into custody.
One witness told police she “observed him push the victim under the water and hold her there multiple times” and saw him “scratch her on her chest,” according to US outlet People.
Detectives detailed Wyld’s account in their arrest report: “She advised that she could not breathe and believed that she was going to drown.
“[The victim] advised that she had to fight Mark in order to get away from him and from under the water but he kept pushing her back under.”
Judge Jalal Harb said: “Quite frankly, her testimony is of great concern to this court.
“Her testimony to this court is not nearly consistent with what she reported to The Sheriff’s Office. The testimony that was provided by her young daughter contradicts her testimony to this court.”
