Marten and Gordon jailed 14 years for killing newborn daughter

Constance Marten, 38, from a wealthy family, and her partner Mark Gordon, 51, were each sentenced to 14 years in prison at the Old Bailey on Monday after being convicted of killing their newborn daughter, Victoria. The couple had fled with Victoria to avoid social services following the removal of their four other children.

Victoria’s body was discovered on 1 March 2023 in a Lidl shopping bag at a Brighton allotment. Marten and Gordon had been the focus of a nationwide 54-day manhunt.

During sentencing, Judge Mark Lucraft criticized the couple for showing no genuine remorse, stating that their focus was entirely on themselves rather than the welfare of their child. He noted that while they expressed sorrow, they sought to blame others for the tragedy.

The couple was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence in a second trial at the Old Bailey, following a hung jury in the first trial. They had already been convicted of perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth, and child cruelty. Marten is seeking permission to appeal her manslaughter conviction.

The trials, disrupted and delayed over 33 weeks, reportedly cost around £10 million in court expenses. The investigation began after a placenta was found in a burnt-out car in Bolton, leading to the search for the couple. Marten claimed they fled to prevent Victoria from being taken into care.

Prosecutors stated that Victoria was inadequately clothed, suggesting she died of hypothermia or was smothered while co-sleeping. The judge noted that the couple’s actions after her death, including concealing her body, were contrary to their claims of wanting dignity for Victoria.

Gordon’s past criminal record was revealed during the trial, including serious offenses in Florida during his teens, assaults in the UK, and domestic violence incidents, some involving Marten.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke of the Metropolitan Police described the couple’s actions as selfish and tragic, while CPS chief prosecutor Jaswant Narwal highlighted the couple’s attempts to delay justice. Both emphasized that no child’s life should be cut short in such a preventable way.