Sandbanks property developer cleared of strangling wife after jury deliberates for just one hour

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Paul Pressland, 63, was acquitted on a charge of strangling his estranged wife Gemma Martin, 52, at their £3 million Sandbanks mansion following a row that broke out after a Sunday roast dinner with her parents. The jury at Salisbury Crown Court needed just one hour to clear the company director, who had faced allegations that he squeezed Martin's neck until her eyes 'bulged' and she collapsed on the floor. Pressland said he was acting in self-defence, telling the court that Martin had hurled her Ugg slippers at him and pulled his hair while he was brushing his teeth. He said afterwards there were 'no winners' in the case.

Prosecutors alleged Pressland punched Martin in the ribs and pinned her against a door before squeezing her throat with both hands.

Pressland suggested red marks on Martin's neck were caused by a wetsuit she had worn for a charity swim earlier that day.

Martin's divorce wish-list reportedly included a £1 million home, a £35,000 Range Rover and £60,000 a year in settlement.