Aristocrat and partner deny all charges following death of baby

The pair appeared at the Old Bailey

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon
Published 26th Oct 2023

PA

A Dorset aristocrat and her partner accused of the manslaughter of their baby have denied all the charges they face.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon pleaded not guilty to five counts relating to daughter Victoria during a hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Gordon said "not guilty" in a clear, loud voice when answering the charges on the indictment, while Marten also pleaded not guilty.

They are charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of the girl, referred to in the charges as Baby A, between January 4 and February 27.

They also face charges of perverting the course of justice by concealing the body, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and allowing the death of a child.

Marten, 36, and Gordon, 49, of no fixed address, appeared before Judge Mark Lucraft KC, who at one point asked the defendants to stop talking to each other while the hearing was in progress.

A trial has been set for January 2, with a further pre-trial hearing listed for December 8.

Police found remains at an allotment in the Hollingbury area of Brighton in March after a major search.