Constance Marten 'left unable to grieve' by baby death court cases

A woman accused of causing the death of her newborn child has said having to stand trial twice has prevented her grieving.

- Kevin Rawlinson

Constance Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, are being tried for the gross negligence manslaughter of their daughter, Victoria, who died after they took her to live in a tent on the South Downs in early 2023.

Giving evidence at the Old Bailey yesterday, Marten told jurors: "I don't think this process has really allowed me to grieve properly. I still feel angry, upset, still in shock."

The court was told the couple were seeking to prevent Victoria becoming the fifth child of theirs to be removed when they went off-grid. Their disappearance precipitated a high-profile police hunt for the missing baby, with Marten claiming her other children had been "stolen by the state" and insisting she and Gordon did "everything we could to protect" Victoria.

It is alleged Victoria was inadequately clothed in a babygrow and that Marten had got wet as she carried the baby underneath her coat.

The prosecution claims Victoria died from hypothermia or was smothered while co-sleeping in the "flimsy" tent, despite past warnings.