Mark Gordon has blamed the police manhunt for the death of his newborn baby Victoria. "If it had naturally played out, I believe the baby would have been alive today," the court heard as he gave evidence for the first time during his retrial at the Old Bailey in London. Gordon, 50, and his partner Constance Marten, 38, deny manslaughter by gross negligence and causing or allowing the death of a child. Their daughter's decomposed body was found in a shopping bag in a Brighton allotment shed in March 2023, two months after they went on the run. During the previous trial, Marten and Gordon were found guilty of concealing Victoria's birth and perverting the course of justice by not reporting her death. Gordon no longer has barristers to represent him, so the judge Mark Lucraft KC asked him questions to lead him through his evidence. Talking of Marten, he described her as his "beautiful, noble wife" and "a passionate strong individual". But he said the couple face opposition. He said it "made it very difficult for us who were in love, sincerely in love". Wearing a blue shirt and a peach headwrap, he told the jury that private detectives hired by Marten's family were following them and observing them. Explaining why he and Marten started living in hotels and holiday lets before and after the birth of their fifth child Victoria, he said "she wanted some time with the baby" and the couple never would have predicted what went on to happen. "It was a range of calamitous events, one after the other," he said. It was after their car caught fire in January 2023 that police realised the couple had another baby, leading to detectives launching a public appeal for the couple. Gordon told the jury "if that manhunt hadn't happened… who knows what could have happened". "No laws were being broken to justify a national manhunt," he said. "There are risk assessments that you should do, people - if somebody's on the side of a ledge about to jump off, you don't rush them." He added: "If it had naturally played out, I believe the baby would have been alive today." "Who gave the command to do a national manhunt?" he asked. "We are not silly people. We are not irresponsible people. "My position is firmly is that had the manhunt not taken place, these circumstances would not have happened. "Paranoia - call it what you want - but definitely not criminal intent," he told the court. "It was as if we had become fugitives and terrorists overnight." Talking about how the couple felt when their first four children were removed he said: "When someone doesn't have a child around them it affects them psychologically… when a parent loses a child they lose part of themselves." He told the jury it is "bad enough" to lose Victoria, who he has not "had time to grieve". "When I was apprehended I was dehydrated, malnourished and completely out of my head," he explained. "It is very important to consider, when you consider this allegation that has been made about us, our state of mind." As he spoke about the death of "blessed, beautiful baby Victoria", he became emotional and started crying. He said he was asleep when Marten had been feeding the baby and was in a "state of shock and complete disbelief" when he woke up and was told Victoria was not moving. "It was a surreal moment for me. She was holding my baby's limp body in her arms," he said. "At no point in time did we intentionally or recklessly put that baby at harm... We never wanted her to come to harm. I want you to know that," he said. "We're seen like we are monsters - it is a horrible thing to see your life destroyed... Our names have been dragged through the mud". "Our baby is dead, she's gone. What more do you want? he asked. "Don't put people in prison who don't need to be in prison.... We are the ones who have to live with what has happened forever." "This isn't the right way to handle this case," he told the jurors. The trial continues.
Mark Gordon blames baby's death on police manhunt, court hears
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Mark Gordon Testifies About Police Manhunt in Newborn's Death Case"
Bbc News
5.7
TruthLens AI Summary
During his retrial at the Old Bailey in London, Mark Gordon testified for the first time, attributing the death of his newborn daughter, Victoria, to a police manhunt. He expressed his belief that had the manhunt not occurred, the baby would still be alive today. Gordon, along with his partner Constance Marten, is facing charges of manslaughter by gross negligence and causing or allowing the death of a child. Their daughter's body was discovered in a shopping bag in a Brighton allotment shed in March 2023, following a two-month period in which the couple was on the run. Previously, they had been convicted of concealing Victoria's birth and perverting the course of justice. Gordon, who is currently representing himself in court, described the couple's love as sincere but complicated by the interventions of private detectives hired by Marten's family, which contributed to their decision to live in various temporary accommodations around the time of the baby's birth.
Gordon elaborated on the series of unfortunate events that led to their current predicament, including a car fire that alerted the police to their situation and prompted a public appeal for their capture. He questioned the necessity and legality of the national manhunt, arguing that there was no justification for such an extreme response and that it created a sense of paranoia for them. He recounted the emotional turmoil of losing Victoria, emphasizing that they never intended to harm her and lamenting that their lives were irrevocably altered by these events. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his daughter, stating that he had not had the time to grieve properly and criticized the perception of them as irresponsible. As he recounted the moment he learned of Victoria's death, he became emotional, underscoring the profound impact of the tragedy on their lives. The trial is ongoing as they continue to face serious charges regarding their daughter's death.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a complex and tragic situation involving Mark Gordon, who attributes his newborn daughter's death to the circumstances surrounding a police manhunt. This narrative raises several significant themes and implications regarding public perception, legal accountability, and societal norms.
Intent Behind the Publication
The news aims to inform the public about the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the tragic death of a newborn, which inevitably evokes strong emotions and sparks discussions about law enforcement practices and parental responsibilities. By highlighting Gordon's claims about the manhunt's impact, the article frames the situation in a way that may elicit sympathy for the accused, potentially influencing public opinion during the retrial.
Public Perception
The framing of the story could foster a perception that the police's actions were detrimental, possibly causing more harm than good. The statement that the manhunt might have directly contributed to the baby's death could lead to a public outcry regarding police procedures, particularly in sensitive cases involving vulnerable individuals.
Potential Concealments
While the article provides details about the case, it may obscure the broader context of the couple's actions leading up to the tragedy. For instance, the previous convictions for concealing the birth and perverting justice raise questions about their accountability, which are not fully explored in this report. This selective focus might lead to a skewed understanding of the events.
Manipulative Nature of the Article
The article exhibits a certain level of manipulativeness, particularly in how it presents Gordon's defense. By allowing him to characterize the events in a way that shifts blame onto law enforcement, it risks undermining the seriousness of the charges against him and his partner. The language used may evoke sympathy, especially for those who might be inclined to view the couple as victims of circumstance rather than perpetrators.
Credibility of the Report
The report appears credible in its recounting of the court proceedings, but the selective emphasis on Gordon's perspective may lead to questions about its impartiality. The article could benefit from a more balanced view that includes the perspectives of law enforcement and child welfare advocates.
Societal Impact
This case has the potential to significantly impact societal views on parental rights and responsibilities, police intervention in family matters, and the legal system's role in protecting children. It may contribute to a broader dialogue about how authorities handle cases involving at-risk families.
Communities Affected
The narrative may resonate more with those who sympathize with the couple's struggles against perceived societal and institutional pressures. Conversely, it may alienate those who prioritize child welfare and accountability in cases of negligence.
Market and Economic Influence
While this specific case might not directly affect stock markets or global markets, it could influence sectors related to child welfare services, legal defense, and law enforcement agencies, depending on public reactions and potential policy changes stemming from the case.
Global Relevance
In terms of global power dynamics, this case has implications for discussions around law enforcement practices, human rights, and child protection policies, which are relevant in many parts of the world today.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is no direct evidence within the article suggesting the use of AI in its composition. However, if AI were utilized, it might have influenced the structuring and presentation of emotional narratives or selective emphasis on certain statements, potentially guiding reader responses.
In summary, while the article provides a critical view of the events surrounding the tragic death of a newborn, it also raises important questions about the framing of legal issues, the responsibilities of authorities, and the consequences of public sentiment in high-profile cases.