Constance Marten, aged 38, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the tragic death of her baby, whose decomposed body was discovered in a shopping bag in Brighton back in 2023. Alongside her partner Mark Gordon, 51, Marten was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter at the Old Bailey on Monday.
Marten, who hails from Critchel House in Dorset, a renowned estate in the UK, is now inmate A9624X at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. She shares Unit 4 in the prison with former nurse Lucy Letby, who is serving a whole life order for the murders of seven infants and attempted murders of seven others. There have been instances where Marten and Letby have crossed paths.
Concerns have arisen about Marten’s well-being in prison, with authorities closely monitoring her for potential self-harm or attacks following her sentencing. Marten, feeling the weight of her high-profile case, has withdrawn into her cell, fearing for her safety among other inmates.
Despite Marten’s plea to be relocated from the same ward as Letby and another inmate, Beinash Batool, she remains on the same unit. Her barrister, Tom Godfrey, expressed Marten’s deep remorse, acknowledging her acceptance of responsibility for her baby’s death and the lasting impact it has had on her.
During the trial, Marten and Gordon claimed their baby’s death was accidental, attributing it to Marten falling asleep while holding the infant. However, expert testimony on hypothermia contradicted their defense, leading to their sentencing based on Victoria’s death from hypothermia. Gordon received an additional four years on extended licence, as decided by the judge.
The couple’s decision to live off the grid stemmed from Marten’s pregnancy, aiming to prevent authorities from taking Victoria away, as they had done with their other children previously. Their attempt to evade capture during the police search involved sleeping outdoors and taking elaborate measures to avoid detection, ultimately culminating in their discovery and Victoria’s tragic demise in Brighton.
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