A British father is facing charges in the US for allegedly attempting to drown his daughter-in-law, who is also said to be his girlfriend, prompting a formal accusation of attempted murder.
Mark Gibbon, 62, was taken into custody at Florida’s luxurious Solterra Resort last Sunday. He is accused of submerging 33-year-old Jasmine Wyld’s head underwater repeatedly during an intense dispute concerning his will.
The affluent lighting engineer, who has collaborated with Mick Jagger, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and the late Queen, is anticipated to seek bail. However, he might be denied it, as US prosecutors reportedly view him as a potential “flight risk.”
Gibbon is claimed to have struck a relationship with Ms Wyld – who was once married to his son Alex.
The Brit dad, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has already appeared in court on two battery charges, each carrying $1,000 bail.
But a source said his attempted murder hearing is “a different level of seriousness” as he is expected to be charged tomorrow.
An insider revealed to the Mail on Sunday that, although technically eligible for bail, his wealth and status as a British citizen might lead a judge to regard him as too great a flight risk.
“If bail were to be considered then he would have to surrender his passport and have to agree to wear a monitoring device.”
Authorities at Polk County Prison declined to discuss his detention specifics for safety reasons, but he is anticipated to face the judge wearing orange prison attire.
“He will be taken from his cell to court in restraints, including shackles and handcuffs, though these might be removed once in the courtroom, depending on the judge’s discretion,” the insider mentioned.
Wyld’s nine-year-old daughter is said to have leapt into the pool to try to “save” her mother.
Police reports claim Gibbon’s alleged attack left her with scratches and bruising.
Both Gibbon and Wyld told police they are not romantically involved, although detectives are reportedly probing claims they have been lovers for years.
Neighbours in Beaconsfield described Wyld as Gibbon’s “girlfriend” and said she was often seen at his £800,000 semi-detached home.
One neighbour told The Sun: “Everybody is shocked by this.”
Another, who said she was Wyld’s friend, recalled: “Jasmine used to stay here a lot with the children. But I don’t want to say much more because she is a friend of mine.”
Family insiders claim tensions erupted years ago when Gibbon’s son Alex allegedly found Wyld in his father’s bed.
“About four years ago there was a big fall-out,” one source the Daily Mail.
“Alex went up the stairs and found Jasmine in his father’s bed. They had a massive row. It’s torn the family apart… there’s been so much bad blood between Alex and his dad.”
Alex, 32, and Wyld separated in 2021 but share two young children.
The feud deepened when Alex was jailed for driving an £80,000 Porsche Cayenne into his father during a public row.
He was released six months ago, and father and son no longer speak.
Gibbon, who also runs hairdressing business Sage Hairdressing, allegedly pushed Wyld underwater during the Florida row after telling her she was not the main beneficiary of his will.
He reportedly admitted pushing her but denied trying to kill her, claiming they had both been drinking, she slapped him, and the situation escalated.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: “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.”
If convicted on all charges, Gibbon could face up to 20 years in jail.
