Parents on Trial for Manslaughter of Baby Found in Lidl Bag

Constance Marten, 36, and Mark Gordon, 49, are currently standing trial at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of their newborn baby, Victoria, whose body was discovered in March 2023, after an extensive search for the family. The court heard that the couple, living off-grid, kept their baby in a Lidl carrier bag throughout freezing weather.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC outlined the case against Marten and Gordon, explaining that the couple had previously had four other children who were all taken into care due to the involvement of social services. In order to prevent the same fate for their new baby, the couple decided to live outside of society, keeping the pregnancy a secret from family and healthcare professionals.

The exact date of Victoria’s birth remains known only to the defendants, but it is believed she was born after December 28, 2022. On January 5, the family’s car, which they had allegedly been traveling in, was found on fire on a road in Greater Manchester. A placenta wrapped in a towel was discovered inside the car during a search. The couple had already left by the time police arrived, leading to a high-risk missing persons inquiry.

Two days later, the prosecution claimed that Marten and Gordon dumped a buggy in London and carried the baby in the Lidl bag, where she appeared to have spent much of her life, before her death. The couple lived in a tent on the South Downs, enduring freezing weather and dangerous conditions, which ultimately led to the baby’s demise. Throughout this time, Marten and Gordon spent a significant amount of money on taxi journeys instead of securing a proper home for their family.

In mid-February 2023, the couple had been living rough for over a month, facing freezing cold, windy, and wet weather conditions. They resorted to scavenging for food from bins in order to survive. Marten, who did not have a deprived upbringing according to the prosecution, had access to resources and the help she needed.

There was a sighting of Victoria as late as February 19, but when the couple was arrested on February 27, the baby was not with them. When detained, Marten had furniture stuffing in her clothing, while Gordon was still wearing a Christmas jumper. On March 1, the baby’s body was discovered in a shed in Brighton, still in the same Lidl bag she had been carried in, surrounded by rubbish. The cause of death remains undetermined.

In a police interview, Marten provided conflicting dates for Victoria’s death but claimed that she had fallen asleep while holding the baby and awoke to find her dead. She admitted to carrying the body in the bag, unsure of what to do. She also mentioned plans to buy a flat but abandoned the idea after being recognized when they traveled to London.

Marten further explained that they had wanted to save their baby from social services and removed themselves from society until they found a house. However, their situation deteriorated rapidly after their car caught fire. They considered turning themselves in but ultimately did not. Marten asserted that the baby had adequate clothing to survive outdoors, a claim disputed by the prosecution.

The couple is charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, as well as four other offenses including cruelty to their baby, concealment of the baby’s birth, causing or allowing her death, and perverting the course of justice by concealing the body. The trial continues at the Old Bailey.