Constance Marten and Mark Gordon found guilty of concealing birth and facing manslaughter retrial

In a high-profile case, Constance Marten and her partner, Mark Gordon, have been found guilty of concealing the birth of their baby daughter and perverting the course of justice in relation to her death. The couple faced accusations of killing baby Victoria by going on the run and sleeping rough with her in freezing temperatures. Their burnt-out car on the M62 near Bolton led to a manhunt, revealing Marten had given birth in secret. After 54 days on the run, they were arrested in Brighton, but Victoria's body was found hidden in a shed two days later. The jury found Marten and Gordon guilty of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice, but a verdict on manslaughter by gross negligence could not be reached after more than 70 hours of deliberation. A retrial has been confirmed for March next year, lasting between six to eight weeks. The couple's attempt to evade authorities with their newborn daughter, Victoria, ended tragically with her body discovered in a Lidl bag-for-life in an allotment shed. Police began the search for the missing baby after finding a placenta in the burning car near Bolton. Marten and Gordon fled, leaving behind belongings and traveling across the country before Victoria's body was found. The Crown Prosecution Service will seek justice for baby Victoria in the upcoming retrial, emphasizing the importance of securing justice for the deceased infant. The investigation team, along with partners, will prepare for the retrial in March 2025, focusing on the unresolved charges against Marten and Gordon.