A British holidaymaker accused of trying to murder his daughter-in-law during a family trip to Walt Disney World has been denied bail.
Mark Gibbon, 62, is accused of attempting to drown Jasmine Wyld, 33, by repeatedly holding her underwater in the pool at their rented vacation villa when a disagreement over his grandchildren erupted.
Police were called to the Solterra Resort in Davenport, near Orlando, Florida, on August 3.
Ms Wyld, a hairdresser, told Polk County Sheriff’s Office in an affidavit that she “could not breathe and feared she would drown”.
However, the alleged victim pleaded with a judge to release Gibbon, from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, describing him as a “fantastic grandfather”. The pair have reportedly been in a romantic relationship since their respective relationships broke down.
Appearing via a video link from England, Ms Wyld testified to a court in Bartow, Florida, that she has always “felt safe” around her former partner Alex’s father and “is not afraid of him”.
According to The Times, she said: “This has come as a bit of a shock to me.
“I can only sing his praises for what a fantastic grandfather he is.”
Ms Wyld also spoke in favour of a motion submitted by Gibbon’s lawyer calling for his release from custody, subject to a “no-violence” order by the court.
However, Judge Jalal Harb denied the request and said that Ms Wyld’s evidence contradicts the sworn statement she gave on the day of the alleged drowning.
“Quite frankly, her testimony is of great concern to this court,” the judge added.
Gibbon is charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery.
He did not appear before the judge and remains in custody at Polk County Jail in Bartow, pending another hearing next month.
At a separate hearing last week, he pleaded not guilty to the two charges of battery.
Wyld was asked by the state prosecutor, Michael Berkowitz, whether her opinion of Gibbon had changed since he allegedly tried to murder her.
She said: “I’m still in a state of shock because I look upon Mark a ... [a] good man.”
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