Aristocrat Couple Blamed for Baby’s “Entirely Avoidable” Death
A wealthy socialite and her partner face shocking manslaughter charges after their baby daughter died in freezing winter conditions. The Old Bailey jury heard how Constance Marten, 37, and Mark Gordon, 50, went on the run without proper food, shelter, or clothing — leading to a tragic and avoidable death.
Secret Birth, Homeless Horror
The couple kept their baby’s birth a “little secret” after their four older children were taken into care. Trying to dodge authorities, they spent thousands travelling across the country in taxis before camping in a flimsy tent on the South Downs. Prosecutor Tom Little KC revealed Marten, from a wealthy family with access to a trust fund, carried the baby around in a Lidl bag while they scavenged bins for food.
“They put their relationship and their views of life before the life of a little baby girl,” said Mr Little. “In the middle of winter, in dangerous weather, they deprived the baby of warmth, shelter, protection, food, and ultimately, safety.”
Frozen Fate: Timeline of Tragedy
- January 8, 2023: Couple begin sleeping rough, baby’s presence becomes uncertain by January 12.
- Baby likely died from hypothermia or suffocation in the tent shortly after.
- Couple continued living rough for weeks, carrying the baby’s body in the same Lidl bag.
- February 27, 2023: Arrested in Brighton; police later find baby’s decomposed body in a shed surrounded by rubbish.
Their Story – Denial and Gross Negligence
During police interviews, Marten claimed the death was accidental, saying she fell asleep with the baby tucked under her coat. Gordon described it as “something nobody could ever have anticipated.” Yet prosecutors say the couple ignored prior warnings about the dangers of rough sleeping with a baby in winter.
“After the baby died, the defendants did not hand themselves in but stayed off-grid for weeks, leaving the body in a shopping bag covered in rubbish,” added Mr Little.
Previous Convictions and Ongoing Trial
Both Marten and Gordon have earlier convictions for concealing the birth and perverting the course of justice but deny manslaughter charges. With no fixed address, Gordon skipped the courtroom at trial start, possibly joining via video link later.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC warned jurors against speculation, stressing verdicts must come from evidence alone. The retrial at the Old Bailey is expected to last up to eight weeks.
