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Constance Marten given permission to appeal sentence for manslaughter of baby
United Kingdom🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressiveyesterday

Constance Marten given permission to appeal sentence for manslaughter of baby

Constance Marten, a 39-year-old aristocrat, has been granted permission to appeal her 14-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of her newborn daughter, Victoria, who died in a tent on the South Downs in January 2023. Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, 52, who was previously convicted of rape, had fled authorities to avoid having their children placed into care. They were found guilty of manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice after two lengthy trials. Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced them both to 14 years in prison, with Gordon receiving an additional four years on extended licence. Marten has re-applied for permission to appeal her gross negligence manslaughter conviction. During the trial, it was established that Victoria likely died from hypothermia due to exposure to extreme cold, and the judge dismissed the couple's claim that her death was accidental. The couple had been on the run for seven weeks before being arrested in Brighton, during which time police discovered Victoria's body in a disused shed.

Constance Marten, a 39-year-old aristocrat, has been granted permission to appeal the 14-year prison sentence she received for her role in the death of her infant daughter, Victoria, during a period of evasion from authorities. The appeal comes nearly three years after Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, 52, were found guilty of multiple charges including manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice. The pair had gone on the run after their car caught fire on a motorway in Greater Manchester in January 2023, leading to a nationwide manhunt. They were eventually captured in Brighton after evading capture for seven weeks. The incident began when Marten and Gordon fled authorities to avoid having their newborn daughter placed into state care, following the removal of their four older children. Their decision to go off-grid led them to sleep in a tent on the South Downs, where Victoria died days later. According to the prosecution, the baby succumbed to hypothermia due to exposure to "significant cold stress." This contradicted the defendants' claim that Victoria was accidentally smothered during the night. The trial, which spanned two separate proceedings lasting six months each, concluded with both Marten and Gordon receiving 14-year sentences, with Gordon additionally facing a four-year extended licence. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Mark Lucraft KC criticized the couple for showing "arrogance" and subjecting Victoria to "neglect of the most serious type." The judge emphasized that neither defendant demonstrated any genuine concern for the well-being of their child. The court was informed that the couple's actions were exacerbated by the vulnerability of the infant and their failure to heed previous warnings about the risks of neglect. The judge's remarks highlighted the severity of the couple's conduct, describing their behavior as indicative of a complete disregard for their daughter's life. Following the sentencing, Marten submitted a renewed application for permission to appeal her conviction for gross negligence manslaughter. While the appeal process has been authorized, a specific court date has yet to be scheduled. The legal team representing Marten is expected to present arguments challenging the verdict, though the specifics of the appeal remain unclear at this stage. The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly due to the high-profile nature of the defendants and the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Victoria. The initial investigation into the couple's disappearance began after their vehicle caught fire on the M62 motorway near Bolton on January 5, 2023. Among the items recovered from the wreckage was a placenta, indicating that the couple had recently given birth. Authorities launched a widespread search for Marten and Gordon, who had disappeared with their newborn. During their time on the run, the couple traveled extensively across England, eventually settling in a remote area of the South Downs. It was there that Victoria's body was discovered, wrapped in a Lidl shopping bag within a disused shed. The case has raised questions about the adequacy of child protection measures and the consequences of parental decisions to evade custody arrangements. Legal experts have noted that the appeal could focus on whether the evidence presented was sufficient to support the convictions, particularly regarding the cause of the infant's death. The outcome of the appeal will likely influence future cases involving similar charges and the interpretation of negligence in matters of child welfare. As the legal process unfolds, the public awaits further developments in what has become one of the most scrutinized criminal cases in recent British history.

3 reports

The Independent logoThe IndependentIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 75yesterday
Constance Marten given permission to appeal sentence for manslaughter of baby

Constance Marten, a 39-year-old aristocrat, has been granted permission to appeal her 14-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of her newborn daughter, Victoria, who died in a tent on the South Downs in January 2023. Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, 52, who was previously convicted of rape, had fled authorities to avoid having their children placed into care. They were found guilty of manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child, and perverting the course of justice after two lengthy trials. Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced them both to 14 years in prison, with Gordon receiving an additional four years on extended licence. Marten has re-applied for permission to appeal her gross negligence manslaughter conviction. During the trial, it was established that Victoria likely died from hypothermia due to exposure to extreme cold, and the judge dismissed the couple's claim that her death was accidental. The couple had been on the run for seven weeks before being arrested in Brighton, during which time police discovered Victoria's body in a disused shed.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal proceedings and judicial decisions regarding the case of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon without overtly favoring either side. It provides factual information about the charges, the trial process, the judge's reasoning, and the outcome, while quoting directly from the

Why factuality (88): This article confirms the key facts about Marten's appeal, the charges, and the sentencing. It matches the other sources in reporting the legal proceedings and the judge's conclusions. The information is consistent with the cross-source consensus and does not introduce new or conflicting details.

Why objectivity (75): While the article presents the facts clearly, it includes phrases like 'failed for 14 years' which may imply judgment rather than neutrality. The overall tone remains largely objective but slightly leans toward portraying the defendants negatively.

Daily Mirror logoDaily MirrorIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 70yesterday
Constance Marten granted permission to appeal her 14-year jail sentence

Constance Marten, a British aristocrat, has been granted permission to appeal her 14-year prison sentence related to the death of her infant daughter Victoria. Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, a convicted rapist, were on the run when Victoria died in a tent on the South Downs in January 2023. The couple had fled authorities to avoid having Victoria placed in care, as four of their other children had been previously removed. They were found guilty of multiple charges including manslaughter, child cruelty, and perverting the course of justice. Judge Mark Lucraft ruled that Victoria died from hypothermia due to exposure to extreme cold, rejecting the defense's claim of accidental suffocation. Marten is seeking to challenge the severity of her sentence, which includes a gross negligence manslaughter conviction.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the case as a tragic and morally reprehensible act by wealthy individuals who neglected their parental responsibilities. It emphasizes the legal system's condemnation of their actions and highlights the judge's harsh criticism of their lack of care for their child. While the legal

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that Constance Marten was granted permission to appeal her 14-year jail sentence. It provides details about the circumstances of the baby's death, the charges, and the sentencing by Judge Lucraft. The information aligns with the cross-source consensus, though it includ

Why objectivity (70): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'arrogance' and 'neglect of the most serious type' to describe the defendants, which introduces bias. While it presents facts neutrally, the tone leans toward condemnation of the defendants, affecting objectivity.

Sky News (UK) logoSky News (UK)IndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 65yesterday
Constance Marten granted permission to appeal sentence for killing her baby

Constance Marten, who was convicted of murdering her infant child while fleeing with her partner, has been allowed to appeal her 14-year prison sentence. The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it. Marten was found guilty of killing her daughter in 2017 after being on the run for several months. The appeal process could potentially lead to a retrial or a reduced sentence if new evidence or legal arguments are presented. This development highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of high-profile criminal cases involving vulnerable individuals.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual update regarding a legal decision without overtly favoring any side. It does not include commentary, opinion, or biased language that would indicate a clear ideological leaning. The focus is on the procedural aspect of the appeal rather than taking a stance on the case

Why factuality (80): The article succinctly states that Marten was granted permission to appeal her sentence. However, it lacks detailed context about the charges, the trial process, and the judge's reasoning, making it less comprehensive compared to the other articles. Still, the core factual claim is supported by the

Why objectivity (65): The headline 'killing her baby' is highly emotive and potentially misleading, suggesting intent where there may have been no criminal intent. This phrasing introduces significant bias and affects the overall objectivity of the article.

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