By Emily Pennink

Copyright walesonline

Aristocrat Constance Marten and her convicted rapist partner Mark Gordon have been jailed for 14 years at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of their baby Victoria. The baby was found dead in a carrier bag in Brighton in 2023 after the pair spent two months on the run in freezing conditions. Marten, 38, and Gordon, 51, were in hiding having fled authorities to prevent baby Victoria being taken into care, as four other siblings had been before, the Old Bailey had heard. They were found guilty of her manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice following two trials spanning six months each. On Monday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC jailed them both for 14 years and handed Gordon a further four years on extended licence. The judge accepted the prosecution case that baby Victoria died from hypothermia after being exposed to “significant cold stress”. He rejected the defendants’ claims that Victoria was smothered in a “terrible accident” as they slept in the tent. The offending was made worse because the baby was vulnerable and the defendants failed to listen to past warnings. In a televised sentencing, Judge Lucraft told the defendants: “It is clear throughout the period neither of you gave much or any thought for the care or love for your baby.” The judge said they had displayed “arrogance” and treated Victoria to “neglect of the most serious type”. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Police had launched a nationwide hunt after their car burst into flames on a motorway near Bolton, Greater Manchester, on January 5 2023. The defendants travelled across England and went off-grid, sleeping in a tent on the South Downs where baby Victoria died days later. After seven weeks on the run, the pair was arrested in Brighton. After a desperate search, police found their baby dead amid rubbish inside a Lidl bag in a disused shed nearby. Victoria’s remains were too badly decomposed to establish the cause of death. Earlier, the judge had told off the defendants for their “disruptive” behaviour in the dock as their lawyers were mitigating for them. The couple were seen talking to each other, gesturing and passing notes as they sat flanked by dock officers. Judge Lucraft told them that their behaviour showed a “complete lack of respect” to the court. Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, who led the homicide investigation into Victoria’s death, said: “The selfish actions of Mark Gordon and Constance Marten resulted in the death of an innocent newborn baby who would have recently had her second birthday and should have had the rest of her life ahead of her. “This was an incredibly challenging investigation for the hundreds of officers across the UK who were involved in the search. Our main focus throughout the search was finding Victoria alive and we were devastated by the outcome. “We know today’s sentencing won’t bring Victoria back, but I am pleased our investigation has resulted in the couple who caused her death finally being brought to justice.” Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who led the search for the couple, said: “Victoria’s death was completely avoidable. The couple had plenty of opportunities to do the right thing and come forward to ask for help. They knew that officers were looking for them. “I would like to thank the media for the support they showed throughout the search, as well as the many members of the public who reported sightings. I’d also like to thank the jury for their patience and resilience in having to sit through a long trial where they had to listen to Marten and Gordon’s horrific actions. “This information was incredibly important, and officers travelled across the country to track down CCTV and speak to witnesses. “Speaking personally as a father, I find it hard to comprehend how, instead of providing the warmth and care their child needed, Mark Gordon and Constance Marten chose to live outside during freezing conditions to avoid the authorities.”