UK COUPLE JAILED FOR 14 YEARS EACH OVER BABY’S MURDER
Constance Marten, aged 38 and from a wealthy background, along with her partner Mark Gordon, aged 51, was sentenced to a total of 28 years in prison after being convicted of the murder of their newborn daughter Victoria.The couple was on the run for 54 days after fleeing from social services, who had previously taken four of their other children into care, to avoid child's removal.
Victoria’s body was discovered in a Lidl shopping bag at an allotment in Brighton on March 1, 2023, inside the couple’s burnt-out car found in Bolton in January 2023.
The judge, Mark Lucraft, condemned their conduct, stating "neither of you gave much or any thought to the care or welfare of your baby" and emphasized that "there has been no genuine expression of remorse from either of you.
Your focus was on yourselves." The couple had previously been found guilty of charges including perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, and child cruelty, with a subsequent trial ordered after the first jury could not reach a verdict on manslaughter charges.
During sentencing, the judge noted that they claimed to seek dignity for Victoria’s body, but their conduct indicated the opposite.
Prosecutors argued that the baby's clothing was inadequate, and allegations were made that Victoria suffered from hypothermia or was smothered while co-sleeping, leading to her death around January 12, 2023.
Both Marten and Gordon had criminal histories, with Gordon’s past including a 1989 conviction for holding a woman against her will and rape, a 2017 conviction for assaulting police officers, and suspected domestic violence in 2019.
Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke and Crown Prosecutor Jaswant Narwal both expressed sorrow for Victoria’s death and hailed the sentencing as justice for the victim, with Narwal highlighting their efforts to delay responsibility.
