The Old Bailey has delivered a damning verdict, sentencing aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon to prison for the manslaughter of their newborn daughter. The couple's desperate attempt to live off the grid in a tragic bid to keep their child culminated in the baby's death in the harsh winter of last year.
A Life of Privilege to a Life on the Run
Constance Marten, 37, who comes from a family with immense wealth and a historic estate, chose a path of extreme isolation with Gordon, 50. Their journey began when they abandoned a broken-down car on the M61 motorway, sparking a massive nationwide manhunt that would last for weeks.
Instead of seeking help, the pair embarked on a perilous course of action, purchasing tents and camping equipment to disappear into the British countryside with their vulnerable newborn, Victoria.
The Catastrophic Consequences of Secrecy
The court heard how the baby's short life was spent in unimaginable conditions. She was subjected to the freezing cold of an English winter, concealed inside a Lidl shopping bag, and denied the basic medical care and warmth crucial for a newborn's survival.
Despite having access to a substantial £40,000 allowance, the couple prioritised their secrecy over their daughter's welfare. They spent cash on taxis, accommodation, and supplies, but never on a single doctor's visit or a safe, warm place for Victoria to live.
A Heartbreaking Discovery and a Failed Defence
The frantic search ended in tragedy when the infant's remains were discovered in a disused shed in Brighton, stuffed inside a rubbish bag. A post-mortem examination was unable to establish a definitive cause of death, a fact the defence tried to use in their favour.
However, the prosecution successfully argued that the couple's "reckless and utterly selfish" behaviour, which exposed the baby to freezing temperatures and created acutely unsafe sleeping conditions, was directly responsible for her death. Their refusal to seek any form of help, even when they knew the baby was dead, sealed their fate in the eyes of the law.
The Judge's Condemnation
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Garnham delivered a scathing assessment of the pair's actions. He stated that they had kept the baby in grossly inappropriate conditions and lied to police about her whereabouts, even after her death.
He concluded that while they may have loved Victoria, their selfish desire to keep her had led directly to her tragic and avoidable demise. The sentences mark the end of a harrowing case that has shocked the nation.
