Wife denies plot to kill husband in chess case

Dr Angela Gilbert today branded the claim "ludicrous" after police told her they were acting on a tip-off that she had hired a hitman for a large sum of money to kill wealthy bank director Ian Gilbert.

Jessica, 19, who competed for Great Britain in international tournaments, died two years ago after falling from an eighth floor hotel window in Pardubice, Czech Republic.

Dr Gilbert, 54, said she was certain her daughter killed herself because she was feeling "tortured" over a campaign of sex abuse at the hands of her father.

Mr Gilbert, 50, stood trial at Guildford crown court on five charges of rape but was found not guilty in December 2006.

Jessica had been due to give evidence but died before the case was heard by a jury although they were shown a video recording of her talking about the sex allegations two years before her death.

Jessica, who first made a formal complaint to police in 2005, said in a police statement that her father had subjected her to a series of horrific sex attacks, starting when she was eight.

At an inquest last September a coroner recorded an open verdict, saying he was not convinced Jessica intended suicide.

Royal Bank of Scotland director Mr Gilbert moved out of the family home in 2003 and rented a cottage nearby.

Dr Gilbert, who now lives in Reigate, Surrey, was questioned by Surrey Police last Thursday over allegations that she conspired to kill her ex-husband.

She said: "I was told by the police that Crimestoppers received an email to say I had hired a contractor and offered him a large sum of money to have Ian killed on 26 July, the second anniversary of Jessie's death.

"I was questioned voluntarily under caution and released without charge. It's ludicrous, complete nonsense.

"Everyone knows that I have been to hell and back in the last few years and now I am just trying to put it all behind me and rebuild my life."