Aristocrat and Partner Convicted Over Infant Daughter's Death

A jury has determined that Constance Marten, a woman from a noble lineage, and her partner, Mark Gordon, who has a criminal record, are culpable for the manslaughter of their infant daughter. The child perished while the couple lived in difficult conditions away from society.

The duo spent January and February 2023 avoiding capture by authorities, all while residing in a makeshift tent.

They were tried at the Old Bailey in London. It was a retrial following a previous jury's inability to reach a decision on the manslaughter charges against them.

As the judgment was delivered, Marten seemed taken aback, shaking her head in disbelief, while Gordon remained motionless with his eyes shut.

Despite their denial of any wrongdoing, Marten and Gordon fled after police discovered a placenta in a car they had set ablaze near a motorway outside of Manchester.

Marten, despite having affluent and well-connected family roots, chose a sporadic life. She preferred an existence detached from her wealthy upbringing, sometimes scavenging or squatting for survival.

Their journey began when Marten started her relationship with Gordon in 2016, leading her to cut ties with her family.

In court, Marten claimed their escape was an effort to safeguard their daughter, Victoria, citing that their previous children had been placed under social care.

Their run came to an end when they were apprehended near Brighton in southern England almost two months later.

Tragically, shortly after their capture, Victoria's body was found in a decayed state within a shopping bag at an urban garden plot.

When testifying during the initial trial, Marten, from a family with royal affiliations, vehemently explained their love and dedication to their children.

She passionately expressed, "Mark and I cherish our children beyond measure. All I provided was love."

Consequently, the two were found guilty of obstructing justice, concealing a child's birth, and child mistreatment during prior proceedings.

"Verdict Declares Justice for Baby Victoria"

To the police, Marten claimed her daughter expired while she was asleep with the baby nestled under her clothing.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford welcomed the verdict.

"At last, justice has prevailed for baby Victoria," Basford stated.

"The self-centered actions of both Gordon and Marten led to the fatal end of a newborn, one who deserved a future."

He noted that the judgment affirms the initial decision to place Marten's other children in protective care. Sentencing for the pair is slated for September 15.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke managed the murder investigation regarding Victoria's demise.

"Although today's decision does not bring Victoria back to us, I am gratified that the investigation led to accountability for those responsible for her passing," she remarked.

During the first trial, the court was not privy to Gordon's violent history in the U.S., which became partially known in the subsequent trial.

Prosecutors revealed that in 1989, a 14-year-old Gordon forcibly restrained a woman in Florida, attacking her with a knife and gardening shears.

Within weeks, he committed another serious assault after breaking into a different residence.

Gordon was originally sentenced to 40 years in prison but was released after serving 22 years.

Additionally, in 2017 Gordon was charged with attacking two female officers in Wales where Marten gave birth to their first child using a false identity.