Aristocrat Jailed for Infant's Death Points Finger at Social Services in Prison Interview
An aristocrat imprisoned for causing her baby's death has made a controversial attempt to shift blame, telling a national review panel that she received insufficient support from social workers. Constance Marten, 38, who was sentenced alongside her partner Mark Gordon, 51, for their role in the hypothermia death of their infant Victoria, spoke from behind bars to a child safeguarding review.
Claims of Coercive State Powers and Lack of Assistance
Marten accused social workers of employing state powers coercively rather than constructively, leading to the removal of her four previous children and forcing the couple to flee with their fifth baby. The millionaire heiress stated she was presented with ultimatums instead of genuine assistance, suggesting that with proper backing, she might have altered her course.
In written submissions from her cell, Marten asserted, "People can be supported and can change, which should result in children being returned and supported." She described attending contact centres as "one of the most painful experiences for a parent to endure," criticizing the lack of support afterward despite evident distress.
Contradicting Trial Judge's Conclusions
These complaints starkly contradict the trial judge's conclusion that the couple had no one but themselves to blame for their daughter's tragic demise. The judge noted that Marten and Gordon viewed all offers of support as hostile and frequently failed to engage with authorities, including missing contact hearings and providing false information.
The case, which sparked a £1.2 million manhunt in January 2023, began when police discovered a placenta in the couple's car after it caught fire on a motorway in Greater Manchester. Over 100 officers pursued Marten and Gordon as they traveled hundreds of miles across England, from Bolton to Liverpool, Harwich in Essex, East London, and finally to the South Downs, where they camped in freezing conditions leading to Victoria's death.
Review Panel Recommendations and Missed Opportunities
Marten's testimony influenced the review panel's findings, resulting in national recommendations about protecting unborn children. The panel, chaired by Sir David Holmes, emphasized that better engagement and support for parents are essential when a child is removed, stating, "To protect vulnerable babies better, we must support their parents too."
The review also highlighted missed opportunities to raise safeguarding concerns, particularly regarding Gordon's history. As a convicted rapist deported from the US, Gordon was on the Sex Offenders Register but was not required to disclose details about his partner or Marten's pregnancy. The panel recommended strengthening registration requirements for sex offenders to include pregnancy declarations.
Despite these insights, the panel ultimately affirmed that responsibility for Victoria's death lies solely with her parents, attributing it to their criminal actions. Marten and Gordon were each jailed for 14 years last year for causing or allowing their baby's death from hypothermia, after they chose to camp in winter to avoid the infant being taken into care.
