They say money is the root of all evil – and it seems insurance money could be the devilish root that allegedly caused a spouse to try to commit murder.

An Army sergeant accused of attempting twice to have his wife killed has denied the allegations, but the prosecution claims he removed vital components from his wife’s parachute prior to a skydive. The jump happened a week after an alleged attempt to blow up their house.

The wife, who used to be an Army officer herself, is an experienced parachutist who had done 2,600 jumps in the past, according to a report by The Guardian. She survived the 1,200m fall caused by a double (main and reserve) parachute fail, which the British Parachute Association said had never happened before in the UK.

The report cited Michael Bowes QC, who told Winchester Crown Court that the husband had £22,000 in debts and expected a £120,000 insurance payout if his wife died. 

Also presented in court were message exchanges between the accused and one of his mistresses – there are two – showing how badly he wanted to start a new life with her.


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