Runaway Aristocrat and Partner Guilty of Manslaughter in Newborn Baby Victoria’s Tragic Death
Constance Marten, 38, and her boyfriend Mark Gordon, 50, have been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of their newborn daughter, Victoria. The couple’s desperate bid to dodge social services sparked a nationwide £1.2 million manhunt that gripped the nation.
Desperate Escape Ends in Court
The pair went on the run after their car was discovered ablaze in Greater Manchester, with a placenta inside – revealing a secret birth. Their dramatic trial at the Old Bailey followed a retrial, where they were previously convicted of child cruelty, concealing the birth, and perverting the course of justice.
Moments after the verdict, Gordon exploded in the dock, shouting: “I’m not surprised by the verdict. It was faulty, it was unlawful. This is not over, it has just begun.”
Flight From Social Services
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford slammed the couple’s “desperately selfish” actions, saying: “Child protection services are powerless until a baby is born. We need pre-birth protection orders to stop tragedies like this happening again.”
A Dark Past Uncovered
The shocking trial also exposed Mark Gordon’s grim history. A convicted rapist, Gordon had been deported from the US after serving 20 years for violent attacks dating back to when he was 14. He hid this horrific past from Marten, a trust fund heiress from a well-known family.
The couple had a “spiritual marriage” in Peru and multiple children. Abuse soon surfaced, including an incident where Gordon threw Marten out of a window during pregnancy, causing severe injuries that endangered both her and their unborn child.
Judges Condemn Couple’s Deception
The presiding judges blasted the pair for deliberately obstructing the investigation and misleading authorities, branding their behaviour “worse than teenage murderers.”
Key Dates in the Tragic Case
- January 5, 2023: Couple’s car found burning in Greater Manchester with placenta inside.
- January – March 2023: Nationwide manhunt launched.
- March 1, 2023: Marten and Gordon arrested in Brighton.
- March 2, 2023: Baby Victoria’s body discovered in a shed.
- July 14, 2025: Both convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence at the Old Bailey.
