Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of concealing the birth of a child (Their daughter Victoria) and perverting the course of justice. This follows a protracted trial that began in January, during which the couple faced multiple serious charges, including manslaughter by gross negligence, causing or allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice.
The trial, initially expected to last six weeks, extended significantly due to various delays. The jury began deliberations on April 30, but multiple interruptions led to a protracted deliberation period totaling 72 hours and 33 minutes. Last week, the jury foreman reported to the court that they were unable to reach unanimous verdicts on several charges, resulting in the jury’s discharge.
During the trial, the jury heard how Marten and Gordon had already had four children taken into care before going on the run.
Today, the Old Bailey announced that a retrial will be held in March next year. This decision comes as the court seeks to resolve the unresolved charges, providing another opportunity to address the grave allegations against Marten and Gordon.
The case has attracted widespread public and media attention due to Marten’s aristocratic lineage and Gordon’s controversial background. The guilty verdicts for concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice highlight the severity of their actions. However, the more serious charges of manslaughter by gross negligence and causing or allowing the death of a child remain unresolved pending the retrial.
The couple’s ordeal began in early January when their car was found abandoned and burned on the M61 near Little Hulton and Bolton. Inside the vehicle, police discovered a placenta, indicating a recent birth. The couple, along with their newborn, went on the run, traveling extensively by taxi and staying off the grid, reportedly to evade authorities. Their movements were tracked through a series of CCTV sightings and witness reports as they moved through various locations including Harwich, Colchester, and London.
Despite extensive police searches and public appeals from Marten’s parents, the couple remained elusive for weeks. On February 27, they were finally apprehended in Brighton, but their baby was not with them. Tragically, the remains of their baby girl were found a few days later in a shed near where they had been living in a tent under harsh conditions.
