Constance Marten and Mark Gordon jailed for 14 years over baby's death

"A couple have been jailed for 14 years for the gross negligence manslaughter of their newborn daughter when they went on the run with her to avoid dealing with social services. Constance Marten, 38, and Mark Gordon, 51, were sentenced on Monday after being found guilty in July following a lengthy retrial at the Old Bailey. The decomposed body of their baby, Victoria, was found in a shopping bag in Brighton in 2023."

"Passing sentence, Judge Mark Lucraft KC told the couple "neither of you gave much thought to the care or welfare of your baby" and said there had been "no genuine expression of remorse" from either of them. They were sentenced on the basis Victoria died of hypothermia - both defendants had argued against that during the hearing. Gordon will serve a further four years on extended licence, the judge said. There was no reaction from either defendant as they were sentenced."

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were convicted and sentenced to 14 years for gross negligence manslaughter after their newborn daughter, Victoria, was found dead in Brighton in 2023. Police searched for the couple for 53 days after a burnt-out car near Bolton showed evidence of a recent birth. The couple had chosen to live off-grid while Marten was heavily pregnant to avoid social care intervention; their four other children had previously been taken into care. The couple evaded capture by sleeping outdoors and using long taxi journeys; they were located on 27 February 2023 and Victoria was found two days later. The judge said Victoria died of hypothermia and criticised the couple’s lack of remorse; Gordon will serve an additional four years on extended licence.

Read at www.bbc.com