The British father who allegedly tried to drown his daughter-in-law in a Florida swimming pool will be formally charged with attempted murder on Monday, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Mark Gibbon, 62, who was reportedly in a relationship with his son’s ex-partner Jasmine Wyld, 33, is likely to apply for bail but may not be granted it because US authorities consider him a ‘flight risk’.
Wealthy lighting engineer Mr. Gibbon – who has worked with Mick Jagger and Ed Sheeran – was arrested at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida last Sunday after allegedly pushing Ms Wyld’s head under the water ‘multiple times’ and causing scratches and bruising to her body.
Her nine-year-old daughter jumped in to try and ‘save’ her mother, according to police reports.
Mr Gibbon, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has been charged with two counts of battery and one count of attempted murder in the second degree.
A source close to the investigation told the MoS that he appeared in court last week on the two battery charges but will face a judge on the attempted murder charge for the first time tomorrow.
The source said: ‘He is entitled to bail on the two battery charges, in the amount of $1,000 for each charge but, of course, the attempted murder charge is a different level of seriousness.
‘He could technically be eligible for bail but because of his wealth and the fact he is a British citizen a judge may consider him too high 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.’
Officials at Polk County Prison declined to comment on the conditions he is being held in citing safety concerns but he will appear in court wearing orange prison overalls.
‘He will be taken from his cell and transported to court in shackles and handcuffs but they may be removed inside the courtroom ‘at the discretion of the judge.’
It is understood Mr Gibbon has already hired a high-powered local lawyer.
Mr Gibbon and Ms Wyld both told police they are not romantically involved although detectives are probing claims that they have been lovers for years.
The row started after both admitted drinking heavily and Mr Gibbon allegedly told Ms Wyld she was not the main beneficiary of his will.
Investigators in the US have been told Ms Wyld may not have been legally married to Mr Gibbon’s son Alex Gibbon, with whom she shares two children – Mr Gibbon’s grandchildren.
Family members told the Daily Mail that Alex Gibbon allegedly found his ‘wife’ in bed with his father.
Alex was later jailed for attempting to run his father over with a £80,000 Porsche. He was released from prison six months ago.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: ‘We expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect out 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.’
Mr Gibbon could face a maximin of 20 years in jail if convicted on all charges.
