Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon were sentenced on 15 September 2025 for the gross negligence manslaughter of their newborn daughter, Victoria. The case drew international attention due to Marten’s aristocratic background, the couple’s dramatic 53-day manhunt, and the tragic discovery of the infant’s body in a grocery bag inside an abandoned shed in Brighton.
What was the sentencing date and outcome for Constance Marten?
Judge Lucraft sentenced both defendants at the Old Bailey on 15 September 2025. Constance Marten received a 14-year determinate prison sentence, while Mark Gordon was handed an 18-year extended sentence comprising 14 years custodial and 4 years on licence. Gordon’s longer term reflected his prior criminal record, which triggered “dangerous offender” regulations under UK law.
Who is Constance Marten?
A 38-year-old woman from an aristocratic British family, estranged from her wealthy relatives, who went on the run with her partner Mark Gordon after their fourth child was removed by the family court.
The case
Baby Victoria died from hypothermia after being kept in a tent in wintry conditions. Both parents were convicted of gross negligence manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth, and perverting the course of justice.
Sentencing
Marten received 14 years. Gordon received 18 years (extended sentence). Both are expected to serve approximately 9.5 years before release on licence.
Key questions
Her family tree, how the couple met, and whether a dedicated podcast exists remain topics of public interest. True-crime podcasts have covered the case, but no official podcast by Marten is known.
Key insights from the case
- Constance Marten comes from a wealthy, aristocratic family with connections to the royal family, but she became estranged after her relationship with Gordon began.
- The couple had four older children, all removed by the family court and later adopted.
- Marten claimed she fled to protect baby Victoria from being taken by the state at birth.
- Gordon has a significant criminal history, including a 1990s Florida conviction for armed sexual battery committed at age 14.
- The baby’s body was found in a grocery bag inside an abandoned shed two days after the couple’s arrest in Brighton.
- Prosecutor Tom Little KC highlighted the “vulnerability of a very young baby” and “very high risk of death” as aggravating features.
- Some commentators, including the blog supportnotseparation, argued the sentence was a “miscarriage of justice” given the family court’s role in removing their older children.
Key facts about Constance Marten
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Constance Marten |
| Age at Sentencing | 38 |
| Partner | Mark Gordon |
| Victim | Baby Victoria (deceased newborn) |
| Offence | Gross negligence manslaughter |
| Marten’s Sentence | 14 years determinate imprisonment |
| Gordon’s Sentence | 18 years extended (14 custodial + 4 extension) |
| Expected time served | Approximately 9.5 years each |
| Sentencing Date | 15 September 2025 |
| Judge | Judge Lucraft, Old Bailey |
| Background | Born into wealthy aristocratic family; featured in Tatler |
What is Constance Marten’s background and family history?
Constance Marten was born into a wealthy, aristocratic British family with connections to the royal family. Prosecutors and media described her as an “aristocrat” and “aristocratic socialite.” Her mother, Lady Marten, gave an impassioned plea during the trial, describing her as a “spirited, adventurous girl.”
Family tree and brothers
The Guardian reported that Marten grew up in a privileged environment but became estranged from her family after meeting Gordon. Reports indicate she has brothers, but their names and personal details have not been widely published. Her family home is believed to be in London or the Home Counties, though the exact location has not been publicly confirmed.
The aristocratic connection and Tatler
Marten’s background includes appearances in society magazines such as Tatler, reflecting her family’s social standing. This contrast between her privileged upbringing and the circumstances of Victoria’s death became a central theme in media coverage.
Marten’s family includes Lady Marten, who spoke in court about her daughter’s character. The family’s aristocratic ties and wealth stood in sharp contrast to the couple’s decision to live on the run in a tent, which ultimately led to Victoria’s death from hypothermia.
How did Constance Marten and Mark Gordon meet and what led to their arrest?
Marten met Gordon in 2014 at a shop in north London. According to reports, she called him “smate.” Their relationship officially began in 2016. Gordon, who is 13 years older than Marten, had a criminal record that included a 1989 conviction in Florida for armed sexual battery, armed kidnapping, and burglary. He was 14 at the time but prosecuted as an adult, receiving a 40-year sentence of which he served 20 before being deported to the UK.
The timeline leading to their arrest
In December 2022, as Marten approached her fifth pregnancy, the couple went into hiding. On 3 January 2023, a national search was initiated after a placenta was found inside a charred vehicle on a highway. For 53 days, the couple evaded capture while living rough in a tent. On 27 February 2023, they were arrested in a Brighton store. Baby Victoria was not with them. Her body was found two days later, on 1 March 2023, inside a grocery bag in an abandoned shed. BBC News described the case as an examination of “the chaotic lives” of the couple.
Previous children and family court involvement
The couple had four older children, all of whom were taken by the family court and later adopted. Marten stated that this experience motivated her to go on the run with Victoria, fearing the baby would also be removed at birth. Doughty Street Chambers published details of the family court judgments concerning their children.
Court records indicate a history of domestic abuse in the relationship. In 2019, Gordon pushed Marten, causing her to fall from a window while she was pregnant with their third child. She suffered serious injuries as a result. Gordon was also jailed for 12 weeks in 2017 for assaulting police officers and failing to comply with sexual offender notification requirements at a maternity ward in Wales where Marten was giving birth.
Timeline of events
- 2014: Marten meets Gordon at a shop in north London.
- 2016: Their relationship officially begins.
- 2019: Gordon causes Marten to fall from a window; she suffers serious injuries.
- December 2022: Couple goes into hiding as Marten approaches her fifth pregnancy.
- 3 January 2023: National search begins after a placenta is found in a charred vehicle on a highway.
- 27 February 2023: Marten and Gordon arrested in a Brighton store; baby Victoria is missing.
- 1 March 2023: Victoria’s body found in a grocery bag inside an abandoned shed in Brighton.
- 2025: First trial convicts them of concealing birth, perverting justice, and child cruelty. Second trial convicts them of gross negligence manslaughter.
- 15 September 2025: Sentencing: Marten (14 years), Gordon (18 years).
Established facts and remaining uncertainties
The sentencing date and verdict are confirmed by the UK Judiciary and major news outlets. The cause of baby Victoria’s death was ruled as hypothermia sustained while living in a tent. However, several aspects of the case remain unclear or unconfirmed:
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Sentencing date: 15 September 2025 | Whether either defendant will appeal the sentence (likely to be filed within 28 days) |
| Verdict: Guilty of gross negligence manslaughter | Exact details of Constance Marten’s family tree and brothers’ names are not widely published |
| Cause of death: Hypothermia in a tent | Existence of a dedicated Constance Marten podcast — true-crime coverage exists but no official podcast is confirmed |
| Baby Victoria’s body found in a grocery bag in an abandoned shed | Full autopsy details beyond the legal conclusion of hypothermia |
| Four older children removed by family court and adopted | Precise location of the family home |
What context does this case sit within?
The case attracted massive media attention largely because of Constance Marten’s privileged background. The contrast between her aristocratic upbringing and the squalid conditions in which baby Victoria died became a central narrative. The couple’s decision to flee from social services and live rough in a tent, rather than risk losing another child, has been framed by some commentators as a tragedy rooted in systemic failures of the family court system.
Legal commentary has noted that the 14-year sentence reflects the severity of gross negligence manslaughter, particularly when the victim is a vulnerable newborn. Gordon’s longer sentence was influenced by his criminal history, including the 1990s Florida conviction. However, his defence questioned why a 14-year-old was prosecuted as an adult and given a 40-year sentence in what they described as a “racist Southern state.”
The trial also highlighted ongoing issues around domestic abuse, as court records detailed a history of Gordon’s violent behaviour toward Marten, including an incident that caused her to fall from a window while pregnant.
Sources and quotes
“The chaotic lives of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon” — BBC News
“Couple took newborn to live in a tent in wintry conditions” — The Guardian
“The vulnerability of a very young baby” and “very high risk of death” — Prosecutor Tom Little KC, as reported by Sky News
Summary: What does this case mean?
The case of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon stands as a high-profile British tragedy involving an aristocratic mother and her convicted partner who fled state custody, leading to the death of their newborn. Marten received 14 years, Gordon received 18 years, with both expected to serve roughly 9.5 years. The trial highlighted issues of family court intervention, domestic abuse, and the criminal justice system’s handling of juvenile offenders. For broader context on similar legal outcomes, see the Nathan Gill – Former MEP Sentenced to 10.5 Years for Bribery and the Rachel Booth – Inquest Reveals Drowning in Oakmere Lake reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Constance Marten’s family background?
She comes from an aristocratic British family and was featured in Tatler. She is the estranged daughter of a wealthy barrister.
Did Constance Marten have any brothers?
Reports indicate she has brothers, but their names and details are not widely publicised.
Is there a Constance Marten podcast?
No dedicated podcast by her is known; however, true-crime podcasts have covered her case extensively.
Where was Constance Marten’s family home?
Her family home is believed to be in London or the Home Counties, but the exact location is not publicly confirmed.
How did Constance Marten and Mark Gordon meet?
They met in 2014 at a shop in north London. Marten reportedly called Gordon “smate.”
What happened to Constance Marten’s baby?
Baby Victoria died from hypothermia after being kept in a tent. Her body was found in a grocery bag in an abandoned shed.
What was Mark Gordon convicted of in the US?
In 1989, at age 14, he was convicted in Florida of armed sexual battery, armed kidnapping, and burglary. He served 20 years.
Will Constance Marten appeal her sentence?
As of the latest reports, no appeal has been confirmed. Any appeal would typically be filed within 28 days of sentencing.
How many children did Constance Marten have?
She had five children in total. The four older children were removed by the family court and adopted. Baby Victoria died.
What was the cause of baby Victoria’s death?
The cause was determined to be hypothermia, sustained while living in a tent in cold conditions.
Oliver Reeves leads fact-checking, source verification and editorial standards at RegionalReport.co.uk.