A British Army sergeant who was having an affair with a woman on the dating app Tinder tried to kill his wife by sabotaging her parachute, a court has heard.
Emile Cilliers, 37, allegedly removed strips of material, known as slinks, which connected the harness to parachute and when they failed she fell 4,000 feet to the ground, Winchester Crown Court was told on Wednesday, October 4.
Victoria Cilliers survived the impact at Netheravon airfield in Wiltshire on April 5, 2015 but suffered massive injuries and spent three weeks in hospital.
Sgt. Cilliers, who denies attempted murder, allegedly wanted to leave his wife for Stefanie Glover, who he had met on Tinder.
Prosecution claim Emile Cilliers was having an extramarital affair and also continuing a sexual relationship with his ex wife
— Rupert Evelyn (@rupertevelyn) 4 October 2017
"Those attending at the scene expected to find her dead, although she was badly injured, almost miraculously she survived the fall," said Michael Bowes QC, prosecuting.
"Those at the scene immediately realised that something was seriously wrong with her reserve parachute, two vital pieces of equipment which fasten the parachute harness were missing," he added.
The jury heard Sgt. Cilliers, who was in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, lied to Ms. Glover, claiming his wife was also having an affair and another man was the father of one of their children.
Sgt. Cilliers, who had debts of £22,000 (US$28,966) and hoped to cash in on a £120,000 (US$158,000) life insurance policy, was also having sex with his ex-wife, Carly Cilliers.
The court heard Emile and Victoria Cilliers married in a romantic setting in South Africa in 2011 but their relationship later cooled.
Emile Cilliers And Wife Pictured On Wedding Day https://t.co/vxfWNzRnRg
— Anthony Wright (@jistnews2016) 5 October 2017
Are You Trying to Kill Me?
In March 2015 Mrs Cilliers, 40, discovered a faulty gas valve at their home in Amesbury, Wiltshire.
"Are you trying to kill me?" she asked him jokingly.
But Sgt. Cilliers then suggested his wife go parachuting the following weekend.
She had parachuted many times before and was also an instructor but her experience was unable to save her when both her main and reserve parachute failed.
Emile Cilliers blood found on gas fitting
— Rupert Evelyn (@rupertevelyn) 4 October 2017
“Is it because using considerable force to loosen the nut Emile Cilliers cut his hand?” Pros
Mrs. Cilliers suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken leg and spinal injuries — and spent three weeks in hospital.
Mr. Bowes said the gas valve had been deliberately tampered with by Sgt. Cilliers, who chose to stay at his Army barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire that night and his DNA was later found on it.
Sgt. Cilliers denies two counts of attempted murder and criminal damage while being reckless as to whether it endangered life.
The trial is due to last several weeks.
