Marten Claims Family “Will Stop at Nothing” in Cross-Examination by Partner

London, UK – Aristocrat Constance Marten, currently on trial alongside her partner Mark Gordon for the alleged manslaughter of their baby daughter Victoria, told the Old Bailey on Thursday that her family views her as an “embarrassment” and possesses the means to relentlessly pursue their objectives.

During cross-examination by Gordon, who is now representing himself, Marten addressed questions about unusual incidents involving vehicles during their time together. She informed the jury that they were under surveillance by private investigators, experienced multiple vehicle malfunctions, and that she had discovered a GPS tracking device on one of their cars.
“There’s a few people in my biological family who see me as an embarrassment and are scared I will speak out about them and will stop at nothing to get what they want,” Marten stated.

She further added, “Some people who are privileged think they are above the rules. It is harrowing, you are up against these people who will stop at nothing, who have endless resources and connections.”

Marten, 37, and Gordon, 50, are facing charges of gross negligence manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of their daughter Victoria between January 4 and February 27, 2023. The prosecution contends that the couple were deliberately evading authorities to prevent their fifth child from being taken into care. Marten has previously testified that her other children were “stolen by the state.”

The court has heard that Marten comes from a wealthy background but had a strained relationship with her family, eventually leading to estrangement. On Thursday, she testified that her family held prejudiced views against Gordon and disapproved of their relationship.

Marten conveyed to the jury that she lived in fear and that her “number one priority” was the protection of baby Victoria. While acknowledging the profound difficulty of living with Victoria’s death, she insisted it “wasn’t due to neglect in any way.”

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The prosecution alleges that Victoria was inadequately dressed in a babygrow and that Marten was wet while carrying the infant under her coat. Their case is that Victoria succumbed to hypothermia or was suffocated while co-sleeping in a “flimsy” tent on the South Downs, despite prior warnings about the dangers.

Marten told the court that the tent was intended as a temporary “pit stop” to avoid being seen. She became emotional as she expressed her wish to “turn back time” if she had known Victoria was in danger, emphasizing that they “spent so long trying to protect her.”

Victoria’s body was discovered inside a rubbish-filled shopping bag in a derelict shed near Brighton following the couple’s arrest on February 27, 2023.

The jury has been informed that Marten and Gordon were previously convicted in an earlier trial for concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
The trial at the Old Bailey continues.