From the outside, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon presented themselves as fiercely loving parents.
In the courtroom at the Old Bailey, Marten clung to that image, claiming she would do anything for her children.
But beyond her emotional declarations, a troubling and deeply disturbing reality was unfolding.
The Family Court Finally Lifts the Veil
After a long legal battle, newly unsealed documents from the Family Court have revealed why the couple’s first four children were taken into care, painting a picture that stands in stark contrast to Marten’s claims of victimhood.
These records were kept from jurors in the recent manslaughter trial that focused on their fifth child, Victoria, who tragically died while the pair lived off-grid in a tent.
Judge Madeleine Reardon authorized the release of over 100 pages of detailed findings, exposing a pattern of deception, aggression, and neglect that shaped the couple’s chaotic parenting journey.
A Troubled Relationship From the Start
Their story began with a chance meeting in London and spiraled quickly into isolation.
They cut ties with Marten’s family and soon had their first child, while Gordon’s criminal history—including a rape conviction at age 14 and two decades behind bars in the U.S.—was unknown to Marten at the time.
Even in the early days, red flags were present.
Marten initially avoided antenatal care, told lies to healthcare providers, and was eventually discovered using a fake identity while giving birth in Wales.
The couple had been living in squalid conditions, preparing for the baby with little more than a handful of babygrows.
Patterns of Violence and Control
Judge Reardon noted a consistent pattern of evasion and misinformation.
Marten once fell 18 feet from a window, suffering life-threatening injuries, yet told police it was a minor accident.
The court concluded Gordon likely caused her fall during an altercation.
He didn’t call for help; instead, a neighbor made the emergency call after hearing screams.
Despite their claims of oppression by the system and Marten’s family, the court determined these were falsehoods designed to deflect from the couple’s inability to parent safely.
Allegations of being drug addicts or traffickers, supposedly made by Marten’s parents, were proven baseless.
Repeated Failures to Protect the Children
As the couple had more children, their chaotic behavior worsened.
They frequently failed to attend hearings, refused parenting assessments, and lied to authorities.
Their third child was born while Marten was actively evading child services.
Even during supervised visits, their commitment dwindled.
They missed 19 contact sessions with their children, leaving the kids feeling abandoned.
One child developed a stammer, another had nightmares, and they often expressed confusion and distress about their absent parents.
A Judge’s Tragic Conclusion
In a final heartbreaking assessment, Judge Reardon ruled that all four children should be adopted.
The risk of physical harm and psychological damage was too great.
The court simply could not see a future in which the parents would prioritize their children’s well-being.
Even Marten’s own mother, who initially offered to care for her grandchildren, withdrew after reviewing the files, citing concern over the abusive and co-dependent nature of the couple’s relationship.
Victoria’s Fate and a Final Flight
Despite the finality of the adoption ruling, Marten became pregnant again within weeks.
Desperate to avoid further scrutiny, she and Gordon went on the run.
Their daughter, Victoria, was born in secret on Christmas Eve 2022.
Authorities discovered what had happened only after finding a discarded placenta and baby items in the back of the couple’s abandoned car.
The baby was never seen alive by social services.
A Case That Leaves More Questions Than Answers
The story of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon is a haunting one, filled with red flags, unheeded warnings, and tragic consequences.
While the courts have now spoken clearly about the failures that led to so much harm, the damage to the children caught in the middle of it all may last a lifetime.
For those following this story, The Mail’s podcast The Trial is now offering a deep dive into the case, including courtroom testimony, expert analysis, and emotional interviews with those involved.
