British grandad who ‘tried to drown daughter-in-law in pool' pleads to be freed
Mark Gibbon, 62, has been jailed after being charged with the attempted murder of Jasmine Wyld – the former girlfriend of his son, Alex.
An argument broke out over his will and it is alleged that the grandad, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, repeatedly pushed her underwater in the swimming pool at their rented vacation villa in Davenport, near Orlando.
His nine-year-old granddaughter jumped into the pool to rescue her mother but Gibbon just shoved her away, police said.
It was previously revealed by the Daily Mail that Gibbon and Ms Wyld have been in a relationship for the last two years after their marriages fell apart.
The victim shares two children with Alex, who is said to be estranged from his father.
She told investigators later that she 'could not breathe and feared that she would drown', according to an affidavit from Polk County Sheriff's Office.
But she has since testified that she 'always felt very safe around Mark and him being around my two children,' adding that she is 'not afraid of him.'
Appearing via a video link from England, Ms Wyld described him as her 'best friend', according to The Times, and added: 'This has come as a bit of a shock to me.
'I can only sing his praises for what a fantastic grandfather he is.'
She spoke in support of a motion submitted by Gibbon's lawyer seeking his release from custody, subject to a 'no-violence' order by the court. More Trending
But Judge Jalal Harb denied the motion, noting that her sworn testimony contradicted her sworn statement made on the day of the incident and was 'nowhere near consistent to what was provided to the sheriff's office'.
He added: 'Quite frankly, her testimony is of great concern to this court.'
Ms Wyld has since returned to England since the incident while Gibbon is in custody at Polk County Jail in Bartow.
He has been charged with battery and attempted second-degree murder.
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