Mary Gorman agrees to community work to avoid trial

However, a month after Chris and Mary faced possible criminal charges over the incident in Florida, both are apparently now in the clear.

Mary Gorman has agreed to community work to avoid a trial, weeks after the case against Chris was “closed” by prosecutors.

Mary, 43, yesterday expressed relief at the outcome, admitting that “living under the shadow” of the affair had placed her family “under considerable strain”. Cumbernauld-born Gorman will not now stand trial on charges of resisting arrest and possession of cocaine, the couple’s spokesman said.

A police report claimed Gorman, who denied the charges, hit out at officers after being found in the men’s toilets.

Officer Noah Pruitt said: “As we entered the men’s restroom, I noticed the stall was locked. Once the stall door opened, the white male was watching defendant Gorman performing a sex act on the black male.”

Police claimed Mary Gorman then pushed an officer. When they searched her handbag they found a white powder, believed to be cocaine. Chris Gorman was arrested for allegedly being aggressive towards the officers.

Mary Gorman has agreed to do community work in Florida as part of a “pre-trial diversion programme”.

She is expected to have to travel to the US from the Gormans’ home in Renfrewshire next month to formally agree to the action.

She may also have to attend anger management or drug rehabilitation classes, and could also be asked to pay “financial restitution”. It remains unclear when the work will start or how long it will last.

The move comes two weeks after prosecutors announced her 44-year-old husband would not be charged after his arrest for “interfering” with police in the incident at the Roxy club in Orlando on 13 August.

The Gormans’ spokesman said: “State prosecutors have agreed the case can be resolved through a process that requires no admission of guilt by Mrs Gorman, and instead requires her to participate in a pre-trial diversion programme which, if completed satisfactorily, will result in all of the charges against her being dismissed.”

Mark Horwitz, Mary Gorman’s Orlando-based lawyer, said yesterday: “The pre-trial diversion programme is a common method to resolve cases when the State and the defence believe that a trial is not warranted. In addition, there is no admission of guilt on Mary’s part.

“The completion of the programme will result in all charges against Mary being dismissed and there will be no criminal conviction record stemming from this incident.

“It is very positive that the State Prosecutor’s office is in agreement with this approach and the details of the programme will be agreed in the New Year.”

In a statement issued yesterday, Mary Gorman said: “Living under the shadow of this incident over the past few months has placed our family under considerable strain and so I am very encouraged that a resolution has been agreed.

“We fully agree with our lawyer and the State Prosecutor’s office that this is the most suitable way to deal with the matter and look forward to agreeing the details in the New Year.”

This is expected to come in the form of a meeting between Mary Gorman, her lawyer and operators of the programme, which will discuss what it will entail. It is understood to involve some community or charity work. However, it is “technically possible” other elements, such an anger management or drug education classes, could be included.

The deal is believed to have been brokered during talks between Mary Gorman’s lawyers and the prosecutors office.

The Gormans, who live in a mansion in Bridge of Weir, are thought to have a fortune of some £45 million. The Roxy incident happened during a hip hop night at the club while the Gormans were on holiday at Disney World.

The club is believed to have been a favourite haunt of disgraced golfer Tiger Woods, who met one of his lovers there.

The Gormans’ ostentatious lifestyle has included spending £500,000 on a three-day extravaganza at their Spanish villa to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

Mary Gorman, who runs a property development company and acts as a management consultant, is understood to have been anxious to avoid a criminal conviction for both her personal and business reputation. She has been asked to stand down from her role as ambassador for the charity Action for Children Scotland.

The charges she had faced carry a penalty of up to five years in jail in Florida. However, it is understood a conviction would not have barred her from business activities in the UK such as being the director of a company.

Chris Gorman, who is from Hartlepool, played a leading role in the Gadget Shop chain and received the OBE for his services to business. Two weeks ago, Orange County Court in Florida said the case against him was now listed as “closed”. A spokeswoman for the clerk’s office said: “The charge has been dropped.”

However, the Gormans’ spokesman insisted that while Chris Gorman had been arrested, he had never been charged.