In a harrowing case that has captured national attention, wealthy aristocrat Constance Marten, 37, and her partner Mark Gordon, 49, stand accused in the death of their newborn daughter, Victoria. The charges stem from an alleged attempt by the couple to evade authorities and live off the grid on the South Downs, a saga that began in January 2023.
The Old Bailey trial has revealed a series of events that started when Marten and Gordon fled from authorities in an effort to retain custody of their newborn daughter. This desperate flight came after their four other children were taken into care. The court heard that the couple’s journey began on January 5, 2023, when their car caught fire near Bolton. Undeterred by the loss of their vehicle, Marten and Gordon continued to live off the grid, avoiding detection for several weeks.
Their evasion came to an end on February 27, 2023, when they were apprehended in Brighton. The tragic culmination of their flight was discovered two days later when Victoria’s decomposed body was found inside a Lidl bag in a disused allotment shed. The discovery of the body added a chilling dimension to the charges the couple faced.
Marten and Gordon, who have no fixed address, face multiple charges including manslaughter by gross negligence, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and causing or allowing the death of a child. Throughout the trial, both defendants have denied all charges.
The jury has been engaged in deliberations for approximately 60 hours, indicating the complexity and gravity of the case. At 12:30 pm on Monday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC addressed the jury, comprising ten members, and issued a majority direction. This instruction means that the judge will accept verdicts on which at least nine of the jurors agree, underscoring the pressing need for a resolution in this deeply troubling case.
The trial has been marked by emotional testimony and intense scrutiny of the couple’s actions and motivations. The court has heard how Marten and Gordon’s decision to flee and live in hiding was driven by a desire to keep their newborn daughter out of the reach of social services. This decision, however, had devastating consequences.
During the trial, details emerged about the couple’s lifestyle and the conditions in which they lived while evading authorities. Witnesses described seeing them in various locations, often appearing disheveled and in distress. The court also examined the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death, including whether the couple’s actions constituted gross negligence and contributed to Victoria’s tragic demise.
The prosecution argued that Marten and Gordon’s actions were reckless and directly led to the infant’s death. They contended that by fleeing and living in such precarious conditions, the couple had failed to provide the necessary care and protection for their child. The defense, on the other hand, maintained that the couple had acted out of fear and desperation, not malice, and that the tragic outcome was not a result of criminal negligence.
As the jury deliberates, the case continues to raise broader questions about the child protection system, parental rights, and the lengths to which some individuals will go to avoid state intervention. The tragic death of Victoria has highlighted the vulnerabilities of infants and the critical importance of safeguarding measures to protect them from harm.
The outcome of this trial is keenly awaited, not only by those directly involved but also by the public and various child welfare organizations. A guilty verdict could lead to significant prison sentences for Marten and Gordon, and potentially spark changes in how authorities handle similar cases in the future.
The case of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences when individuals choose to evade the law, particularly in matters involving vulnerable children. As the jury approaches a verdict, the hope remains that justice will be served, providing some measure of closure for the tragic loss of young Victoria.