In a case that has horrified the nation, aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon have been sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison for the manslaughter of their newborn daughter, Victoria.
The Old Bailey heard the harrowing details of how the couple's selfish desire to keep their child led them on a catastrophic off-grid existence, ultimately resulting in the baby's preventable death from hypothermia and neglect.
A Life of Privilege Abandoned for a Tent on the South Downs
The 37-year-old daughter of a wealthy family and her 50-year-old partner chose a life of squalor in a rain-soaked tent on the South Downs over accepting help from authorities. Their disastrous decision-making culminated in the tragic loss of their infant, whose body was discovered stuffed in a Lidl bag for life, buried beneath rubbish and nappies in a disused shed.
Mr Justice Mark Lucraft KC delivered a scathing condemnation of the pair's "extreme selfishness" as he passed sentence. He stated that baby Victoria had been failed in the most fundamental way by those entrusted with her care.
A Catalogue of Failures and Avoidance
The court was presented with a timeline of neglect. After Marten gave birth in secret, the couple rented a car and embarked on a nomadic life, using cash to avoid detection. They purchased camping gear and moved from location to location, all while their vulnerable newborn was exposed to the harsh elements of a British winter.
Despite having access to significant funds – over £40,000 was withdrawn from accounts during this period – they prioritised their own privacy over their daughter's welfare. The judge noted they had failed to feed her properly, keep her warm, or seek any form of medical assistance.
A Chilling Discovery and Heartless Concealment
The prosecution detailed how the baby died sometime around January 9th. Instead of alerting anyone, the couple continued their transient lifestyle for several weeks, carrying their deceased child's body with them before eventually disposing of it in the shed where she was later found by police.
Their seven-week manhunt finally ended in Brighton on February 27th, but by then, it was far too late for Victoria.
Justice Served Behind Bars
Marten was sentenced to 14 years and three months, while Gordon received a sentence of 14 years and four months. Both were also convicted of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
This case stands as a devastating reminder of the absolute duty of care parents hold and the tragic consequences when that duty is abandoned for self-interest.
