The trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, accused of manslaughter in the death of their newborn baby, is reaching its conclusion as the couple prepares to return to court for the final days of the proceedings. The tragic incident occurred while the couple was camping on the South Downs in freezing temperatures last January, resulting in the death of their daughter Victoria.
In a desperate attempt to keep their baby after previous children were taken into care, Marten and Gordon went on the run, evading authorities for nearly two months. Upon their arrest, the badly decomposed remains of Victoria were discovered in a Lidl shopping bag in an allotment shed.
During the trial, Marten claimed that she intended to find someone to smuggle them abroad illegally and defended their decision to use a tent during winter by stating, “Jesus survived in a barn.” The couple denies charges of gross negligence manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, concealing the body, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and allowing the death of a child.
As the trial continues, jurors are expected to retire next week to consider their verdicts. Stay tuned for updates on this heartbreaking case.