# Sandbanks developer cleared of strangling wife

> Property developer Paul Pressland cleared of strangling ex-wife Gemma Martin in bathroom row over divorce wish list.
- Title: Sandbanks developer cleared of strangling wife · Dailymail
- Summary: Property developer Paul Pressland cleared of strangling ex-wife Gemma Martin in bathroom row over divorce wish list. Paul Pressland, 63, was cleared of…
- Keywords: sandbanks, paul pressland, gemma martin, divorce, poole, dorset, strangling, wish list, £1m home, £35,000 range rover, £60,000 salary, developer
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16139543/property-developer-cleared-strangling-wife-divorce-row.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-09-17T15:43:30+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: sandbanks, paul pressland, gemma martin, divorce, poole, dorset, uk, strangling, wish list, £1m home, £35,000 range rover, £60,000 salary
## Paul Pressland cleared of strangling wife
Sandbanks property developer Paul Pressland, 63, was cleared of strangling his 'Amazonian' wife Gemma Martin during a heated argument over their divorce in their £3million mansion.
## Wish list details
Gemma Martin drew up a handwritten divorce wish list including a £1m home, £60,000 annual salary, and £35,000 Range Rover for her two sons.
## Alleged strangling incident
The prosecution alleged Mr Pressland squeezed Gemma's neck until her eyes 'bulged' during a heated argument in their en suite bathroom on December 1, 2024.
## Defense claim
Mr Pressland claimed he acted in self-defense after Gemma struck him with her slipper, grabbed his hair, and tussled with him in the bathroom.
## Wife's account
Gemma described feeling overpowered, unable to breathe, and experiencing a panic attack after Mr Pressland released her from the tussle.
## Jury verdict
A jury spent one hour deliberating before finding Mr Pressland not guilty of strangling his wife in Salisbury Crown Court.
## Marriage timeline
The couple married in 2022 after meeting in 2014, with Gemma seeking divorce in 2024 on grounds of adultery.
## Wine incident
Mr Pressland admitted to drinking wine while cooking for a Sunday roast dinner with Gemma's parents, with five bottles consumed by six people over five hours.
## Wife's injury claim
Gemma claimed she suffered neck marks from Mr Pressland's actions, but he suggested they were from a wetsuit worn during a charity swim that day.
## Self-defense defense
Mr Pressland stated he did not use excessive force and acted to defend himself against Gemma, who he described as a fit and strong woman who did boxing and personal training.
## Post-verdict statement
Mr Pressland expressed relief at being cleared but regretted the impact on his ex-stepsons, stating he put his faith in the jury system to find the truth.
## Divorce timeline
Gemma filed divorce paperwork before Mr Pressland was informed, which he discovered from an 'office gossip' after the incident.
## Family context
The couple hosted Gemma's parents for a Sunday roast dinner at their Poole, Dorset home before the incident occurred on December 1, 2024.
## Wife's description
Gemma was described as 'Amazonian' by her estranged husband, who noted she was fit, did boxing, and personal training.
## Wish list items
Gemma's divorce wish list included a £1m home, £60,000 annual salary, £35,000 Range Rover, and vehicles for her two sons.
## Jury deliberation
The jury spent one hour deliberating before finding Mr Pressland not guilty of strangling his wife in Salisbury Crown Court.
## Key takeaway

Paul Pressland, 63, was cleared of strangling his 'Amazonian' wife Gemma Martin during a heated argument over their £3m divorce in Poole, Dorset.