A British man, identified as Mark Gibbon from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was recently released after being accused of attempting to drown his former daughter-in-law turned girlfriend, Jasmine Wyld, in a pool during a vacation in the Polk County region of Florida, US. The incident occurred following a heated argument between the 62-year-old and Wyld regarding his will, which escalated to the point where police were called by nearby vacationers, leading to Gibbon’s arrest.
Gibbon, a lighting engineer who has collaborated with various music artists, including Ed Sheeran, reached a plea deal by admitting to a battery charge, resulting in his release. Additionally, he paid $1,300 (£980) in court costs and had his passport returned. Despite the severity of the allegations, Wyld urged Florida prosecutors to release Gibbon, describing him as a “good man” who deeply cares for his family.
The situation involving Gibbon and Wyld is further complicated by their family history, as Wyld was previously engaged to Gibbon’s son Alex, who was later sentenced to two years in a British prison for an altercation where he drove a Porsche towards his father during an argument in 2024.
In the August pool incident, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd reported that Gibbon forcefully held Wyld’s head underwater, preventing her from breathing, until intervention from neighboring holidaymakers and Wyld’s daughter halted the situation. Following the arrest, Gibbon faced charges of attempted second-degree murder and battery.
Sheriff Judd emphasized the expectation for all visitors, including vacationers, to adhere to proper behavior while in Polk County, highlighting the importance of respecting local regulations.