Businessman Reunited With Lover After Near-Drowning Ordeal
A British businessman from Buckinghamshire is back in a relationship with the daughter-in-law lover he was previously accused of trying to drown in a Florida swimming pool, the Mail can reveal.
Mark Gibbon, 62, was freed by a US court earlier this month after striking a plea deal where he admitted to one count of battery against Jasmine Wyld, 33, the mother of his two grandchildren and former partner of his son Alex.
The Florida Pool Incident and Legal Resolution
The unusual case originated in August last year when the couple, who began their relationship after her previous engagement to his son, became involved in a drunken argument about Gibbon's will while in the pool of the luxurious Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida.
According to police reports, Gibbon pushed Wyld's head underwater multiple times, causing scratches and bruises, before her nine-year-old daughter bravely intervened to stop the attack.
Gibbon initially faced a charge of second-degree attempted murder, which carried a potential 15-year prison sentence. However, this was eventually downgraded to battery by strangulation before being resolved as a simple misdemeanour battery charge through a plea agreement finalized on November 7.
Following Wyld's emotional pleas to the court describing Gibbon as her "best friend" and stating she had "no fear" of him, he was allowed to return to his home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, where he runs a successful lighting business that has involved work with celebrity client Ed Sheeran.
Reconciliation and Family Fallout
This week, the Mail learned that hairdresser Jasmine Wyld has visited Gibbon's £800,000 semi-detached house in Beaconsfield, which is just minutes from her own terraced home, signalling their reconciliation.
A source close to the situation revealed: "Mark's been back for a little while now, but he's been keeping his head down and has resumed his business as a lighting engineer. Jasmine has obviously forgiven him and he's grateful that she played such an important role in securing his freedom."
The resolution came with $1,308.68 in court costs for Gibbon, who had been released on $25,000 bail that was waived upon the case's conclusion.
The relationship has caused significant family turmoil, particularly with Gibbon's son Alex, who was previously engaged to Wyld and shares two children with her. The father and son are now estranged, with Alex having been sentenced to two years in prison last year after driving a Porsche toward his father during an argument.
Sources indicate that Alex discovered Wyld in his father's bed while they were still together, sparking what has been described as a "massive row" and creating what one source called "an awful betrayal."
The case has also drawn the attention of UK authorities, with Wyld confirming that social services have contacted her following the international publicity surrounding the incident.
