A couple arrested following a nationwide police search has been sentenced for the death of their newborn baby, england/wales/victoria/”>victoria-england/”>Victoria.
mark-scotland/”>Mark Gordon, 51, and Constance Marten, 38, both of no fixed address, lived in a tent under freezing conditions with their baby. The court heard they went on the run to evade authorities after their previous four children were taken into care.
After a 53-day search, they were arrested in Brighton on 27 February 2023. Officers later discovered the body of their child in a shopping bag at an allotment where they had been staying.
Trial and Sentencing
On 14 July, the couple was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter at the Old Bailey. On 15 September, they were sentenced to a total of 32 years in prison: Gordon received 18 years, while Marten was sentenced to 14 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, stated, “The selfish actions of Mark Gordon and Constance Marten resulted in the death of an innocent newborn baby who should have had the rest of her life ahead of her.” She expressed satisfaction that the couple was brought to justice, despite the tragic outcome.
Investigation Details
Concerns for the couple’s welfare were first raised on 5 January 2023, when their car broke down and caught fire on the M61 in Greater Manchester. Firefighters found the car abandoned, filled with items including nappies, clothing, and a placenta, raising fears that Marten had recently given birth.
Following their disappearance, police launched a missing person’s investigation, ultimately leading to the couple’s erratic travels across the country. They paid a taxi driver £350 to take them from Liverpool to Harwich, Essex, possibly attempting to leave the country by boat.
On 8 January, they were spotted in Newhaven, East Sussex, before being seen living in a tent at Stanmer Park Nature Reserve near Brighton. After more than a month, they were recognised and arrested on 27 February.
Discovery of Baby Victoria
Despite extensive searches, baby Victoria was not found until 1 March 2023, when her body was located inside a carrier bag at an allotment. Pathologists could not determine the cause of death, and Marten claimed Victoria had died while they were sleeping.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford remarked, “Victoria’s death was completely avoidable. The couple had plenty of opportunities to do the right thing and ask for help.” He expressed gratitude to the media and public for their assistance during the investigation.
