A mother of five, Constance Marten, and her partner known as “Daddy Bear,” were sentenced to a combined total of 28 years in prison following the tragic death of their infant daughter, Victoria. The baby’s lifeless body was discovered by authorities in a discarded Lidl bag concealed under garbage in a shed on an allotment in Brighton. Marten, 38, and Gordon, 51, were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence after a retrial at the Old Bailey.
The couple had been on the run with their newborn daughter to avoid custody issues, as their previous four children had been taken into care. They traveled across the UK, attempting to evade authorities by moving through various cities. Despite having access to substantial funds, including thousands of pounds from a trust fund and a significant sum in the bank, they resorted to scavenging for food in bins while on the run.
Their journey came to an end when they were apprehended in Brighton, and the decomposing body of baby Victoria was discovered by the police. Marten claimed that the baby died accidentally while co-sleeping in a tent, but prosecutors alleged negligence leading to hypothermia or smothering as the cause of death. The court also heard about Gordon’s criminal past, including a history of violent offenses.
During the trial, Marten expressed regret over the baby’s death but denied any intentional neglect. Gordon, on the other hand, blamed the police manhunt for the tragic events that unfolded. The couple faced a series of charges, with a retrial ordered after the initial jury could not reach a unanimous decision on all counts. Ultimately, Marten and Gordon were convicted of multiple charges, including perverting the course of justice and neglect, in addition to manslaughter.
Judge Lucraft criticized the couple for their lack of concern for their baby’s well-being and the neglectful circumstances that led to her death. He emphasized the vulnerability of the infant and the defendants’ failure to heed previous warnings. Marten and Gordon were each sentenced to 14 years in prison for manslaughter, with additional concurrent sentences for related offenses.