OFFENDER MARK GORDON SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR BABY'S MANSLAUGHTER
Mark Gordon, aged 51, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence for the death of his newborn daughter Victoria.Constance Marten, 38, and Gordon went on the run together to escape social services after their four other children had been taken into care.
Victoria's body was discovered in a Lidl shopping bag at an allotment in Brighton on 1 March 2023, after a nationwide manhunt of 54 days.
During sentencing, Justice Mark Lucraft stated that "neither of you gave much or any thought to the care or welfare of your baby" and added that "there has been no genuine expression of remorse from either of you." Prosecutors alleged that the baby was in inadequate clothing and possibly died from hypothermia or was smothered while co-sleeping.
The couple had previously been found guilty of child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice after an extensive trial at the Old Bailey.
Marten is seeking to appeal her manslaughter conviction.
Gordon's criminal history includes a 1989 conviction for holding a woman against her will and raping her in Florida at age 14, for which he was sentenced to 40 years and released after 22.
He also assaulted police officers in 2017.
The court highlighted their prior histories, emphasizing their repeated criminal behaviors and the tragic outcome for Victoria.
