Constance Marten and Mark Gordon have been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the gross negligence manslaughter of their newborn daughter, Victoria. The Old Bailey heard how the couple went on the run to avoid social services, choosing to live off-grid in the middle of winter. Their decision to prioritise evading authorities over the welfare of their baby directly led to her death.
The Tragic Timeline
Flight from Authorities
In January 2023, police discovered the couple’s burnt-out car on the M61 motorway near Bolton. Inside lay a placenta, revealing that a child had been born recently. Rather than seek medical help, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon embarked on a 53-day journey across England. They travelled by taxi, paid in cash, and concealed their movements from the authorities.
Living Off-Grid in Winter
Eventually, the pair set up camp in a tent in the South Downs. Prosecutors told the jury that the conditions were bitterly cold, damp, and completely unsafe for a newborn. Victoria was exposed to the elements without adequate food, warmth, or medical care. The prosecution argued that her death was “entirely avoidable” had the parents acted responsibly.
Discovery of Baby Victoria
Police tracked down the couple in Brighton in February 2023 after a nationwide search. Two days later, officers found Victoria’s body in a disused shed, wrapped in a plastic Lidl bag among rubbish and soil. The court heard that decomposition meant the exact cause of death could not be confirmed, but hypothermia or accidental smothering were the most likely explanations.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC condemned the concealment of Victoria’s body, calling it a “callous act” that further demonstrated the couple’s disregard for their daughter’s dignity.
Courtroom Proceedings
Charges and Verdict
After a retrial in July 2025, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were convicted of gross negligence manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice. Both denied responsibility throughout the trial and often behaved disruptively in court.
Sentencing Remarks
In delivering his sentence, Judge Lucraft accused the couple of showing “no genuine expression of remorse” and of prioritising their desire to escape social services over their duty to care for their child. He stressed that Victoria’s death was not an accident but the direct consequence of their “arrogance and reckless decisions.”
Background of the Defendants
Constance Marten
Marten comes from an aristocratic background but had become estranged from her family. Friends described her as deeply fearful of social services, particularly after her four older children were removed from her care.
Mark Gordon
Gordon has a criminal history, including violent offences committed in the United States as a teenager. The judge ruled that he posed an ongoing risk to the public and therefore imposed an additional four years of extended licence after his release from prison.
Public Reaction and Wider Implications
National Shock
The death of baby Victoria and the conviction of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon have drawn widespread attention and outrage. Members of the public expressed sorrow over the needless death of a newborn and anger at the couple’s refusal to cooperate with police during the search.
Safeguarding Debate
The case has reignited debate about child protection in the UK. Experts point to the difficulty of balancing parental rights with the duty of the state to safeguard children. Some argue that social services need stronger powers to monitor vulnerable parents, while others warn that heavy-handed intervention may push families further into hiding.
What This Means for Child Protection
The case demonstrates the potentially catastrophic consequences of parents attempting to evade authorities. Prosecutors highlighted that Victoria’s death was preventable and that many opportunities existed for the couple to seek help.
Charities and legal experts are now calling for reviews into:
How to better support mothers who fear losing custody of their children.
Improving coordination between health services and social workers when pregnancies are concealed.
Strengthening safeguards for infants at immediate risk of harm.
Final Reflections
For many, the story of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon is one of fear, mistrust, and tragedy. The couple’s decision to live in secrecy rather than accept oversight ended with the death of an innocent baby. Judge Lucraft summarised it starkly:
“Victoria had the right to warmth, to nourishment, and above all to life. You denied her all of these.”
As the pair begin their prison sentences, the legacy of this case may be a renewed determination to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent another child from suffering the same fate.
