A startling courtroom revelation has shed light on the ongoing trial of Constance Marten, a wealthy aristocrat accused, along with her boyfriend Gordon, of the death of their baby daughter, Victoria. Marten’s alleged “Upstairs, Downstairs” attitude and a web of lies have been laid bare before the court.
The case revolves around the tragic death of baby Victoria, whose body was found in a Lidl bag for life. Prosecutors claim that the couple’s decision to take Victoria on the run in January the previous year, ostensibly to prevent social services from intervening, ultimately led to the child’s demise. Victoria’s placenta was discovered in a car on a Manchester motorway, triggering a massive police investigation.
During the trial, Marten admitted to the police that she believed she fell asleep on top of Victoria one night in their tent on the South Downs near Brighton, where they camped for nearly two months.
Prosecutor Tom Little, KC, accused Marten of misleading the jury about the circumstances of Victoria’s birth, suggesting that the baby was actually born a week later than Marten claimed. He argued that this discrepancy was relevant to understanding Victoria’s age at the time of her death.
Little pointed out multiple instances where witnesses could have spotted a baby or baby equipment in the couple’s possession, yet they did not. He questioned why Gordon evaded questions about the baby’s birthplace and highlighted Marten’s alleged lies and inconsistencies in her testimony.
Referring to witnesses who had stopped to help the couple when their car caught fire, Little emphasized Marten’s dismissal of them as “random workmen,” suggesting a sense of elitism and condescension.
He accused Marten of fabricating stories about private investigators and noted her lies about the circumstances surrounding Victoria’s death, including her claim that they took some baby clothes away from the burning vehicle.
In his closing speech on behalf of Gordon, John Femi-Ola, KC, portrayed Marten as a devoted mother and argued that Victoria’s death was a tragic accident. He emphasized Marten’s strength and resilience, describing her as a lioness fiercely protecting her children.
The trial continues as Marten and Gordon deny multiple charges, including manslaughter by gross negligence and perverting the course of justice. The case has captivated the public’s attention, shedding light on issues of privilege, deceit, and tragedy.
