Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon are on trial accused of causing the death of their newborn baby after fleeing social services with the infant wrapped in a Lidl “bag for life.” The couple went off-grid following the removal of their four other children and lived in severe winter conditions.
Prosecutors claim that the secret birth and subsequent escape led to the “entirely avoidable” death of their baby daughter. At the Old Bailey, Prosecutor Tom Little KC revealed chilling details about the case.
The baby was hidden in a shopping bag covered in rubbish and exposed to freezing weather in South Downs National Park during early 2023. Mr Little condemned the parents, stating: “Rather than act in the obvious best interest of a vulnerable baby… they decided they knew best. They deprived their baby of warmth, shelter, food and, ultimately, safety.”
Marten, 37, and Gordon, 50, reportedly refused all medical support after Marten’s secret pregnancy in December 2022. Instead of seeking help, the couple spent a large sum on taxis to avoid detection, bought only minimal baby supplies including one Babygro and no hat, and camped in a flimsy tent while scavenging for food in harsh conditions.
Despite having access to funds from Marten’s aristocratic family trust, the couple chose to live rough rather than seek shelter or assistance.
After nearly two months on the run, the pair were arrested on February 27, 2023, following an attempted shoplifting incident involving Marten. Police discovered the baby’s body on March 1, wrapped in a plastic bag and discarded beneath rubbish in a disused shed, alongside the blue tent the couple had used.
Prosecutor Little said: “The lack of clothing and basic care for the baby tells you everything you need to know about the neglect she suffered.”
Both Marten and Gordon, who have previous convictions for concealment of birth and perverting the course of justice, now face a retrial for manslaughter by gross negligence. They also face charges of causing or allowing the death of a child, which they deny.
Marten appeared in court dressed sharply, while Gordon may participate via video link. The trial has drawn national attention, highlighting serious safeguarding failures and the extreme measures some parents take to evade social services.
The Old Bailey trial is ongoing.
Originally published by UKNIP.
