A British grandfather who allegedly tried to drown his son’s ex-fiancee in a Florida swimming pool has been released from jail on a reduced charge, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Mark Gibbon, 62, was released on a $26,000 (£19,200) bail on Friday but a judge ordered him to wear an electronic tag and surrender his UK passport.
Mr Gibbon was reportedly in a relationship with Jasmine Wyld – the 33-year-old mother of his two grandchildren – when the pair became embroiled in a drunken row over his will in the pool at a luxury resort last month.
He allegedly pushed Ms Wyld’s head under water multiple times and gave her scratches and bruises at the Solterra Resort in Davenport before her nine-year-old daughter intervened, according to police reports.
At a court hearing last week, the second degree attempted murder charge he had been facing was downgraded to a charge of battery by strangulation.
Court records obtained by this newspaper show Mr Gibbon, a wealthy lighting engineer from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, who has worked with Ed Sheeran, met the terms of the $25,000 (£18,500) bail for that charge as well as $1,000 (£700) bail on a second charge of simple battery.
Last night a police spokesman said: ‘Mr Gibbon has been in Polk County Jail since his arrest on August 3 because he was considered a flight risk.
Mr Gibbon (R) was reportedly in a relationship with Jasmine Wyld (L) – the 33-year-old mother of his two grandchildren – when the pair became embroiled in a drunken row over his will in the pool at a luxury resort last month
He allegedly pushed Ms Wyld’s head under water multiple times and gave her scratches and bruises at the Solterra Resort in Davenport before her nine-year-old daughter intervened, according to police reports
Ms Wyld had been engaged to Mr Gibbon’s son Alex, 34, but they split in 2021
The main charge was downgraded from attempted murder in the second degree to battery by strangulation, which is still a serious offence.
‘He was granted bail but has to wear an ankle monitor, surrender his passport and stay within a restricted area.’
A man answering Mr Gibbon’s mobile phone claimed to be in England when the MoS called before abruptly hanging up. His lawyer declined to comment.
Mr Gibbon is due back in court later this month, with his trial likely to take place early next year.
He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted on the battery by strangulation charge.
During an earlier hearing Ms Wyld begged prosecutors to free her partner, calling him ‘a good man’ who ‘adores his family’.
Ms Wyld had been engaged to his son Alex, 34, but they split in 2021.
In February last year, Alex was sentenced to two years in prison after he drove a Porsche towards his father during an argument.
