Developer faces strangulation charge

Paul Pressland, 63, is accused of attacking his estranged wife Gemma Martin, 52, in their £3 million Sandbanks home during a row over their divorce in December 2024.

Argument erupted after Sunday roast

The alleged attack happened after Pressland hosted Martin's parents for a Sunday roast dinner. He had learned from a friend that she was filing for divorce.

Pressland claims he was defending himself

Pressland told the jury he did not strangle his wife and suggested her neck injury came from a wetsuit she wore for a charity swim the day before.

“I didn't strangle my wife. She chose three times to come back in to continue the argument.”

He describes wife as 'Amazonian'

Pressland characterized Martin as a fit, strong woman who does boxing and personal training, claiming he was the victim, not the aggressor.

“Gemma has been described as Amazonian by friends. She's very fit, she works out, she does boxing and PT. I was defending myself.”

Prosecution alleges violent attack

Prosecutors say Pressland pinned Martin against the door of their en suite and strangled her, making her fear for her life as her eyes bulged.

Martin threw slippers during row

The court heard Martin threw her Ugg slippers at Pressland during the heated argument, with one hitting him in the face and another on his shoulder.

Pressland claims repeated attacks

He told the jury Martin struck him with her fists multiple times, grabbed his hair, and pulled him backwards and forwards toward the master bedroom.

“She struck me with her fists, then went out and came back and did it again. She grabbed my hair, being vain I didn't want my hair wrenched out so I went with the flow.”

Martin's account of the attack

Martin told the court Pressland pushed her, grabbed her arms, and punched her in the back of her ribs before pinning her against the wall and squeezing her throat.

Son heard 'barbaric' scream

Martin's son Henry, 21, said he heard a loud scream from his mother and found her hyperventilating and screaming every two seconds after the incident.

“It was barbaric, I have never heard a scream like it. She was very fast breathing, screaming every two seconds - I have never seen a human being in that state before.”

Defence disputes the scream

Pressland's defence counsel put it to Martin's sons that there had been no scream. Both sons said that was incorrect.

Divorce wish list presented in court

The defence showed the court a handwritten list with Martin's initials requesting a £1 million house, £60,000 annual income, vehicles, and half the net assets of a company.

Martin says list was joint discussion

Martin testified that she and Pressland discussed the divorce settlement together and wrote the list amicably, though she consulted a solicitor because she didn't trust he would agree.

“We discussed between the two of us, how amicably we could split, we sat down together and wrote this down.”

Pressland's background as surveyor

Pressland attended Bryanston private boarding school in Dorset, became a chartered surveyor, and worked in London's Mayfair district before starting his own property business by age 30.

Couple together 10 years, married 2

Pressland bought the Sandbanks home in 2017 but didn't move in full-time until 2022 when he and Martin got engaged. They had been together for 10 years but married for only two.

Wine consumption during dinner

Pressland said he opened red wine to use in the roast gravy and had a glass or two while cooking. Five bottles were consumed between six people over about five hours.

Martin reported incident to police

Martin initially told Pressland she wouldn't report what happened if he granted her a divorce. Two days later, after playing tennis with her son, she reported the incident to police online.

Pressland denies punching anyone

When the prosecutor suggested he had punched Martin in the back of her ribs, Pressland said he had never punched anybody in his life, certainly not a woman.

“I don't believe I have punched anybody in my life, certainly not a woman, and I didn't punch Gemma that night.”

Trial continues at Salisbury Crown Court

The case is being heard at Salisbury Crown Court with Pressland denying one count of intentional strangulation. The trial is ongoing.