**Aristocrat and Partner Convicted for Manslaughter of Newborn Following National Manhunt**
In a harrowing case that gripped the nation, aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon have been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after the tragic death of their days-old daughter, Victoria. The jury at the Old Bailey delivered their verdict on Monday, concluding a trial that unearthed the desperate and ultimately fatal decisions made by the couple in the months following their daughter’s birth.
Marten, 38, alongside Gordon, 51—both declared to have no fixed address—lived rough in wintry conditions with their newborn. The court heard that the pair had gone on the run across England, seeking to evade authorities after their previous four children had been taken into care. Their actions triggered one of the largest and most intense search operations in recent British policing history.
The sequence of events began in early January 2023, when emergency services responded to a burned-out vehicle abandoned on the M61 motorway. The car, which was later linked to Marten and Gordon, contained tell-tale signs of recent childbirth including a placenta and nappies. This discovery, coupled with items belonging to the couple, raised immediate concerns about the welfare of both mother and child.
According to police accounts and courtroom testimony, Marten and Gordon moved rapidly between cities, relying on taxi journeys funded by large sums of cash. From Bolton to Liverpool, then onwards to Harwich in Essex, their attempt to throw police off their scent became clear. At one point, Marten used a false surname at a hotel check-in, and witnesses would later recall seeing her concealing her baby under a coat.
The authorities, increasingly concerned for the welfare of the newborn, issued urgent public appeals. Marten and Gordon’s erratic movement made tracking them markedly difficult, as they continued their journey to east London, then finally to the South Downs near Brighton. There, in exceptionally harsh winter weather, the couple set up a tent rather than seek appropriate shelter or medical care for their daughter.
Their capture came after a vigilant Brighton resident, recognising the pair from news reports, alerted Sussex Police on 27 February 2023. While Marten and Gordon were quickly detained, baby Victoria was nowhere to be found. A frantic and widespread search effort ensued, engaging hundreds of officers who scoured the local area in the hope of finding the infant alive.
Tragically, hope turned to heartbreak when, two days later, Victoria’s body was discovered concealed in a supermarket bag within a shed on a nearby allotment. The precise cause of death remains unclear due to the state of the remains; however, it became apparent that the freezing conditions and the couple’s refusal to seek help played a significant role.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led elements of the investigation, voiced the deep sense of loss experienced by those involved in the search. “The selfish actions of Mark Gordon and Constance Marten resulted in the death of an innocent newborn who should have had the chance to grow up. Our investigation was always focused on finding Victoria and bringing those responsible to justice.”
Senior police officers and local officials also reflected on the profound impact the case had on both those directly involved and the wider public. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford commented on the couple’s consistent refusal to accept help: “This was a preventable death; the couple had countless opportunities to step forward and ask for assistance.” Chief Superintendent James Collis expressed condolences to those affected, remarking on the emotional toll borne by the community and the dedication of those who worked tirelessly to try and save Victoria.
Throughout the proceedings, the judge and jury were exposed to troubling details of the couple’s efforts to thwart police, including their silence during questioning after arrest and attempts to disrupt court processes. The verdict brings some measure of legal closure, but the enduring sorrow for baby Victoria remains.
Sentencing for Marten and Gordon will take place at the Old Bailey on a date yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children born into desperate circumstances and the vital importance of prompt intervention by both authorities and communities.