Constance Marten has denied carrying her baby in a supermarket bag while on the run and said she considered handing the newborn to authorities, a court has heard. Asked if her baby, Victoria, had been carried in a red bag for life at any point, Marten said "absolutely not" and added: "No-one is going to put their live baby who they are caring for and loving in a shopping bag." Marten, 37, and Mark Gordon, 50, are accused of manslaughter by gross negligence and causing or allowing the death of a child - charges they deny. Marten returned to court on Monday to continue giving evidence in the retrial, but shortly after beginning around 11:00 BST said she needed a coffee to wake up. She continued to give evidence after a short break, but the jury were sent home for the day after lunch, with the judge telling them a "matter of law" had arisen. She was due to start giving evidence on Tuesday last week but said she had a headache and toothache. She did not come to court on Wednesday. She started giving evidence on Thursday, still complaining of toothache and did not give evidence on Friday. Marten and Gordon are facing a retrial at the Old Bailey. At the first trial both were found guilty of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. The couple's baby girl was found dead in a shopping bag covered in rubbish, in a shed on a Brighton allotment in 2023. On Monday, Marten told the jury why she and Gordon decided to go out onto the South Downs in Sussex with baby Victoria in a tent from Argos. They were on the run after their car caught fire two days earlier and the police were hunting for them because they had found a placenta on the back seat. The couple's previous four children had previously been taken into care. By 7 January 2023 they had arrived in East Ham in east London. Marten told the jury they were hoping to stand out less than they had in Harwich where people had started to recognise them. "We thought with more people we might blend in more, but there were just more people looking at us. So we wanted to get away from prying eyes for a few days," she said. They took a taxi to Whitechapel and bought a tent from Argos, then, with the intention of trying to go abroad despite not having their passports, they attempted to get to Plymouth by taxi. But when the driver was warned by a friend not to take them, they got a taxi to Haringey, north London, and then another taxi to Newhaven on the south coast. They then set off onto the South Downs. Marten said the couple only wanted to stay in the tent for a day or two while they figured out what to do next. She told the court they had lots of ideas, and considered handing the baby in to the local authorities. She also said she did not understand the need for the manhunt. The conditions inside the tent were warm but not comfortable, Marten said, adding the baby would usually sleep on either her or Gordon's chest. If they were awake, they would put the baby on a pillow between them, she added. Marten told the court the baby died while she was asleep. "I fell asleep and my head flopped forward," she said, adding "when I woke up she was dead". She said the couple were in state of panic, shock and disbelief on realising the child had died. On 1 March 2023 baby Victoria's decomposed body was found under some rubbish in a bag for life in a shed on the allotment. The retrial continues at the Old Bailey.
Constance Marten denies carrying baby in shopping bag
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Constance Marten Testifies in Manslaughter Retrial, Denies Allegations of Carrying Baby in Bag"
Bbc News
6.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Constance Marten, along with her partner Mark Gordon, is currently facing serious charges of manslaughter by gross negligence and causing or allowing the death of their newborn daughter, Victoria. In a recent court appearance, Marten firmly denied allegations that she carried her baby in a supermarket shopping bag while evading authorities. She emphasized her love and care for her child, stating, "No-one is going to put their live baby who they are caring for and loving in a shopping bag." The couple's situation became dire after their car caught fire, leading them to seek refuge in a tent on the South Downs. Marten described their attempts to evade capture, detailing how they had initially intended to blend in better in a busier area but ultimately drew more attention. They had considered handing their baby over to local authorities as a potential solution, revealing a sense of desperation as the police had begun their search after discovering a placenta in their abandoned vehicle.
During the retrial at the Old Bailey, Marten recounted the harrowing circumstances leading to their child's death. She explained that Victoria typically slept on her or Gordon's chest, and tragically, the baby died while Marten was asleep. Upon waking, she found her daughter unresponsive, which led to a state of panic and disbelief for both parents. The couple's previous children had been taken into care, contributing to their fear of authorities. The body of baby Victoria was discovered on March 1, 2023, in a shopping bag covered with rubbish in a shed on a Brighton allotment, further complicating the case against Marten and Gordon. The retrial continues as the court seeks to unravel the complexities of this tragic situation.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a distressing case involving Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, who are currently facing serious legal charges regarding the death of their newborn. Marten's denial of carrying the baby in a shopping bag raises questions about parental responsibility and societal perceptions of motherhood.
Intent Behind the Publication
The publication seems to serve multiple purposes, primarily to inform the public about the court proceedings and the serious allegations against Marten and Gordon. By detailing Marten's testimony, the article aims to evoke a sense of empathy or outrage among readers, depending on their perspectives regarding the case. It also aims to shed light on the complexities of the situation, potentially displacing some blame from Marten by emphasizing her declarations of love and care for her child.
Public Perception
The article seeks to shape public perception around the issues of parenting and neglect. By presenting Marten’s defense and her emotional appeals, it encourages readers to consider the broader implications of her circumstances rather than viewing her solely as a negligent parent. The narrative constructed here might be aimed at garnering sympathy from certain demographics, particularly those who may have experienced similar struggles.
Hidden Agendas
There is a possibility that the article may obscure certain details about the prior history of Marten and Gordon, specifically the fact that their previous children were taken into care. This omission might be intended to focus on the current case and evoke sympathy, rather than allowing the audience to view the couple's history as a critical factor in assessing their behavior.
Manipulative Elements
The article's manipulative potential lies in its emotional framing. By emphasizing Marten's statements and her feelings of love for her baby, the piece could be perceived as attempting to sway public opinion in her favor. Additionally, the phrasing of her testimony and the context in which it’s presented may lead readers to form a more sympathetic view of her actions.
Credibility Assessment
The credibility of the article is contingent on the balance of facts presented versus the emotional narrative. While it reports on actual court proceedings and includes direct quotes, the focus on emotional testimony may create a skewed perception.
Social and Economic Impact
The societal implications of such a case can be significant. It brings to the forefront issues surrounding child welfare, mental health, and the justice system's treatment of parents. Economically, the case might influence public discourse and policy regarding parental rights and child protection, potentially impacting social services and legal frameworks.
Community Support
This type of news may resonate more with communities that advocate for mental health awareness, parenting support, and child welfare reform. It could attract individuals who empathize with the struggles of marginalized parents and advocate for a more compassionate approach to child welfare.
Market Impact
While this specific case may not directly influence stock markets, it could have broader implications for industries involved in social services, legal aid, and mental health. Companies in these sectors might see fluctuations in public interest and funding based on the outcomes of cases like this.
Global Context
The issues raised in the article reflect broader global concerns about parental rights and child welfare that resonate beyond the UK. The situation connects to ongoing debates about mental health support for parents and the responsibilities of social services worldwide.
AI Influence
There is no clear indication that AI was used in the creation of this article. However, if AI were involved, it might have shaped the tone and structure of the narrative, possibly emphasizing emotional language to engage readers more effectively.
Conclusion
Overall, the article presents a complex situation that intertwines legal, social, and emotional factors. Its credibility is somewhat compromised by the emotional framing and selective focus on Marten’s testimony. The manipulation present in the language and presentation suggests an intent to influence public perception, which could have significant societal ramifications.