Aristocrat on the Run After Newborn’s Tragic Death
An aristocrat on trial for the death of her newborn daughter told jurors she had “no choice” but to flee after social services took her four older children into care.
Constance Marten, 37, and her partner Mark Gordon, 50, face charges of manslaughter by gross negligence after disappearing across the UK with their baby, Victoria. The infant was later found dead inside a shopping bag hidden in a disused shed in Brighton on 1 March 2023.
Emotional Testimony at Old Bailey
pSpeaking at the Old Bailey, Marten denied harming Victoria and insisted they did everything possible to protect her. “Victoria was our number one priority, not us,” she said. “She needed to be with her parents for as long as possible.”
Marten broke down as she described giving birth in secret at a remote Northumberland cottage in December 2022, driven by trauma after losing her older children to social services. She blamed her wealthy family for the removals, claiming they disapproved of her relationship with Gordon, who is Black.
“My other four children were stolen by the state. It’s been very, very hard. I loved them extremely. I wanted to have another baby because I could not cope without my children.”
On the Run: A Desperate Escape
The couple lived like fugitives, moving every few days and paying cash to avoid detection. Marten claimed private investigators hired by her family tampered with their vehicles and placed GPS trackers on their cars.
They camped out in the bitter winter of the South Downs with baby Victoria — who sadly died during the ordeal. “Absolutely not – we did everything we could to protect her,” Marten told the court, fighting back tears. “I still feel angry, upset, and there are still elements of shock. I don’t think this process has really allowed me to grieve properly.”
Tragic End to a Dream of Family Life
Marten spoke of dreaming of a large family and a rural life, describing her aristocratic upbringing as “financially comfortable” but lacking love. She accused her relatives of “illegally” selling her grandmother’s estate. “Financially yes, but emotionally not at all,” she added.
After two months on the run, police found Victoria’s remains beneath rubbish. Prosecutors claim the couple endangered the child by avoiding medical care and living in dangerous conditions.
Both Marten and Gordon deny all charges, including manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of a child, and child cruelty. The trial is ongoing.
