Constance Marten and Mark Gordon on Trial for Manslaughter of Newborn

The couple, accused of neglect after their baby's death, defended their decision to live off-grid, citing historical and global precedents for survival in harsh conditions.

• Constance Marten and Mark Gordon are on trial for the manslaughter of their newborn daughter, Victoria, after she died while they were living in a tent to avoid authorities.
• Marten defended their lifestyle choice by comparing it to historical and global examples of survival in harsh conditions, including Jesus surviving in a barn.
• The couple's decision to live off-grid was part of an effort to protect Victoria from being taken into care, following negative experiences with the system involving Marten's other children.
• Victoria's body was discovered in a Lidl shopping bag, covered in rubbish, in a shed after the couple was arrested following a two-month manhunt.
• The defendants deny charges of manslaughter by gross negligence, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and causing or allowing the death of a child.

4 Articles

The Telegraph Sky News Evening Standard Evening Standard