Constance Marten, 38, and her partner Mark Gordon, 51, have been convicted of gross negligence manslaughter in the tragic death of their newborn daughter, Victoria. The couple went on the run in early 2023 after their four other children were taken into care. Their flight from authorities ended when police arrested them in Brighton, East Sussex, after a nationwide search.

Victoria was discovered dead in a Lidl bag in a disused shed, with her remains too decomposed to determine the exact cause of death. The prosecution argued that she died from hypothermia due to the cold and damp conditions in the tent where the family was living. Alternatively, they suggested she may have been smothered. Marten and Gordon claimed her death was an accident, stating that Marten had fallen asleep while holding the baby.

The couple's ordeal began when their car caught fire on the motorway near Bolton, Greater Manchester, prompting a police investigation. They fled the scene, abandoning their family cat and a significant amount of cash, and travelled across England, often sleeping outdoors. CCTV footage captured brief glimpses of Victoria, who was inadequately clothed for the conditions.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford of Scotland Yard expressed that the couple's actions were selfish and that Victoria's death was entirely avoidable. He noted that they had numerous opportunities to seek help but chose not to. The family court's decision to take their other children into care was subsequently validated by the court's findings.

In previous trials, Marten and Gordon were convicted of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. During the retrial, jurors were informed of Gordon's violent past, including a conviction for rape in the United States. This information was not disclosed in the initial trial, leading to visible shock among jurors.

Marten had given birth to Victoria in secret on Christmas Eve 2022, and the couple's attempts to evade authorities led to a major police alert when a placenta was found in their abandoned vehicle. Despite having access to substantial funds, the couple was seen scavenging for food in bins after Victoria's death.

The jury's unanimous verdict of manslaughter was delivered on July 14, 2023, following a lengthy trial. Both defendants had previously denied any wrongdoing, asserting that they had not failed in their duty of care towards their child.