Aristocrat and Lover Charged Over Death of Newborn Baby Girl ‘Victoria’
Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon appeared in court today, charged with the manslaughter of their newborn baby, believed to be a girl named Victoria. The tragic infant was found dead in a locked shed, wrapped in a plastic bag under nappies.
Bizarre Court Hearing in Crawley
Marten, 35, and Gordon, 48, stood before Crawley magistrates for a brief hearing. Both confirmed their names, dates of birth, and that they have no fixed address. The courtroom was packed as the couple faced charges of manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, and concealing a child’s birth.
They sat apart in the dock, separated by security guards. Marten smiled and greeted Gordon while he kept a straight face, hood pulled over his head.
Seven-Week Manhunt Ends in Arrest
The couple had been on the run for seven weeks after fleeing with their baby. They were finally caught in Brighton’s Hollingbury area, but without the infant. Police launched a nationwide search involving sniffer dogs, drones, helicopters, and heat-seeking technology to find the remains.
The baby’s body was eventually discovered in a locked shed on an overgrown allotment. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford of the Met Police confirmed the remains had been there for several weeks, but the exact date of death is still unknown. A specialist paediatric post mortem is underway.
Dark Details Emerge
- On January 5, a placenta and Marten’s passport were found in an abandoned vehicle.
- The pair had been dating since 2015 and were travelling the country by taxi and hotels.
- CCTV spotted them buying camping gear in Whitechapel and near the Newhaven ferry.
- Initially, they refused to answer police questions, sparking the extensive search.
The case will move to the Central Criminal Court in London, where Marten and Gordon are due to appear on March 31. Marten’s defence lawyer hinted a bail application may be made in the future.
