Scaffolders in bridge rescue
‘Boobaholic’ soldier faces life for jump sabotage & gas leak
A LOVE-cheat Army sergeant who sabotaged his wife’s parachute is facing life in jail after being found guilty of attempted murder.
Emile Cilliers, 38, was sleeping with two other women when he suggested experienced parachutist Victoria go for a jump over Easter 2015.
On the eve of the 42-year-old’s 4,000ft leap at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire he tangled her main canopy and removed vital links from her reserve.
His trial heard the kit had never failed in this manner anywhere in the world before.
The survival of Victoria, a physiotherapist and former Army captain with whom he has two children, was described as a “near-miracle” and put down to the soft soil she landed in.
Three days earlier Cilliers, who had money trouble and stood to benefit from a life insurance payout, caused a gas leak at their home in Amesbury. But Victoria noticed the smell and joked in a text: “Are you trying to kill me?!”
Dad-of-six Cilliers – described as a “charmless, unfaithful, penniless scoundrel” by the prosecution and a “boobaholic” by his wife – was sleeping with his ex-wife Carly Cilliers and Austrian Tinder lover Stefanie Goller. He was so besotted with Miss Goller he sent hundreds of WhatsApp messages daily. Her family in Austria told the Mirror she has had nothing to do with him since the allegations emerged. A source in Innsbruck said: “She wants nothing to with this man, it is all in the past for her as far as she is concerned. She has moved on.” Messages on his phone revealed Cilliers also arranged sex with prostitutes on the proviso it was unprotected and he could film it – but cancelled after they tried to charge £60 instead of £50. South African-born Cilliers, who is with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, showed no emotion as he was convicted at Winchester crown court yesterday. During submissions to judge Mr Justice Sweeney to decide when he will be sentenced, Elizabeth Marsh QC, representing him, said: “His career is over. He will be out of the Army within seven days, subject to administration and i’s being dotted and t’s crossed.” Cilliers was remanded in custody. INJURIES Victoria at court previously TAMPERED The parachute SCAFFOLDERS saved a woman from the edge of a bridge after creating a makeshift harness.
Mark Hitchens and Richard Norris, who were working nearby, used straps to make her safe.
Then pal Danny Clavin lifted her down in a cherry picker in Exeter, Devon.