Separated by two security guards, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon appeared in the dock accused of killing a baby girl. The pair appeared at Crawley Magistrates Court earlier today (March 3), facing three charges.
Marten, 35, and Gordon, 48, have been charged with the manslaughter of a baby named Victoria. The pair have also been charged with concealment of the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
The court heard how police, who spent two days searching for Marten's baby, discovered the remains of Victoria wrapped in a plastic bag under some nappies in an allotment shed. Marten and Gordon touched hands briefly in the dock and were seen having a number of conversations with each other.
They spoke only to confirm their name, dates of birth and that they were of no fixed address during the short hearing. At one stage, Marten blew a kiss to Gordon, who wore a grey jumper over his head throughout.
Prosecutor Jeremy King briefly outlined how the charges were brought against the pair, including that the remains were found in a plastic bag in a locked shed at an “overgrown” allotment. The pair were not required to enter any pleas to the charges and will next appear at the Old Bailey on March 31.
Marten and Gordon were arrested in Stanmer Villas, in Brighton, on Monday. Remanding Marten and Gordon into custody, chairwoman of the bench of magistrates Carol Lintott said: “You are both here today … on charges of manslaughter, concealment of the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
“We are sending the case to the crown court sitting at the Old Bailey. We are remanding you in custody until that time.”
A post-mortem examination is due to take place. The case was referred to the police watchdog by the force, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct said in a statement that it is “currently assessing the referral to determine what, if any, further action is required from us”.
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