A wealthy British lighting engineer has walked free from an American court after admitting battery charges following allegations he tried to drown his daughter-in-law during a drunken argument about his will at a luxury Florida resort.
The Shocking Incident at Solterra Resort
Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, found himself at the centre of an international scandal after the August incident at the Solterra Resort in Davenport. According to police reports, Gibbon allegedly pushed Jasmine Wyld's head underwater multiple times during a poolside confrontation, leaving her with visible scratches and bruises.
The situation became so dire that Ms Wyld's nine-year-old daughter bravely intervened, jumping into the pool to save her mother from the alleged attack. Court documents state that Gibbon's actions prevented the 33-year-old from breathing during the altercation.
From Attempted Murder to Battery Admission
Originally facing a second-degree attempted murder charge that could have resulted in up to 15 years imprisonment, Gibbon's case took a dramatic turn when prosecutors agreed to a plea deal. The wealthy engineer, who has previously worked with music superstar Ed Sheeran, admitted to one count of battery as a misdemeanor offence.
Court records show that Gibbon paid $1,308.68 in court costs and had his passport returned to him immediately. The breakdown of costs included $323 for standard criminal costs, $352 specifically for criminal battery, $250 for prosecution costs, and $383.68 for the investigation.
The resolution on November 7th means Gibbon will serve no jail time and is likely already back in the UK, with the $25,000 bail initially posted being waived upon case resolution.
Complicated Family Dynamics Revealed
The case revealed extraordinary family tensions, with Gibbon having been in a relationship with Ms Wyld - the mother of his two grandchildren - following her separation from his son Alex in 2021. Sources indicate that Alex discovered Ms Wyld in his father's bed while they were still together, creating a permanent rift between father and son.
In a surprising twist during legal proceedings, Ms Wyld pleaded with prosecutors to release her partner, describing Gibbon as "a good man" who "adores his family" and stating she had "complete trust in him." She revealed that the international publicity surrounding the case had attracted the attention of UK social services.
The family drama extends beyond the pool incident, with Gibbon's son Alex having been sentenced to two years in prison last year for attempting to run his father over with a Porsche during another argument.
Sources close to the family suggested the poolside argument may have stemmed from Ms Wyld's dissatisfaction about not being named in Gibbon's will, despite their relationship spanning several years. The couple had been regularly holidaying together at exotic locations since their respective relationships ended.
