British Aristocrat & Convicted Rapist Face Jail Over Baby's Death

In a case that has captured the attention of the United Kingdom, Constance Marten, a 38-year-old British aristocrat, and her partner, 51-year-old Mark Gordon, have been convicted of the manslaughter of their newborn daughter, Victoria. The couple's decision to live off-grid in freezing conditions led to the tragic death of their child, who was found in a disused shed in Brighton in March 2023.

Background of Constance Marten

Constance Marten was born into a life of privilege. She grew up in a 25-room mansion on a vast estate in Dorset, southwest England. Her family had strong ties to the British royal family; her grandmother was a childhood friend of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and her father served as a page boy to the Queen. Despite this aristocratic background, Marten distanced herself from her family in 2016 and chose to live a life outside the public eye.

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Mark Gordon's Troubling Past

Mark Gordon's early life was marked by violence. In 1989, at the age of 14, he held a woman against her will in Florida for more than four hours and raped her while armed with a knife and hedge clippers. Within a month, he entered another property and carried out another offence involving aggravated battery. He was sentenced to 40 years in jail but was released after serving 22 years. In 2017, Gordon was also convicted of assaulting two female police officers at a maternity unit in Wales where Marten gave birth to their first child under a fake identity.

The Birth of Baby Victoria

In December 2022, Marten gave birth to a baby girl named Victoria. Shortly after her birth, the couple's four other children were taken into care by social services due to concerns for their welfare. Determined to keep Victoria, Marten and Gordon decided to go on the run, avoiding detection by authorities.

Life on the Run

The couple's journey took them across England. They were seen in various locations, including Liverpool, Harwich in Essex, London, and finally Brighton. Despite having access to funds from Marten's family trust, they chose to live off-grid, sleeping in a tent and avoiding any form of identification. They used cash for transactions and avoided using credit cards or anything that might identify them.

The Discovery of Baby Victoria's Body

On 27 February 2023, Marten and Gordon were arrested in Brighton. They refused to disclose the whereabouts of their baby. Two days later, police discovered Victoria's decomposed body in a shopping bag inside a shed on an allotment near where the couple had been apprehended. The infant had likely died from hypothermia or suffocation.

The Trial

Marten and Gordon were charged with gross negligence manslaughter, concealing the birth of a child, perverting the course of justice, and child cruelty. In June 2024, they were found guilty of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the manslaughter charge, leading to a retrial in March 2025. In July 2025, both were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Sentencing

Marten and Gordon are scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, 15 September 2025, at the Old Bailey, London's central criminal court. The sentencing will mark the conclusion of a case that has drawn widespread attention and raised questions about parental responsibility and the welfare of children.

The case of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon is a tragic reminder of the importance of safeguarding children's welfare. It highlights the devastating consequences that can arise when parents prioritize their desires over the well-being of their children. As the sentencing approaches, the nation reflects on the life of baby Victoria and the lessons that can be learned from this heartbreaking story.