'Jesus survived in a barn' - Constance Marten defends living in tent with baby

On-the-run mother Constance Marten has defended her decision to live in a tent with her newborn baby, saying: “Jesus survived in a barn.”

Marten, 36, and her partner, Mark Gordon, 49, are on trial after baby Victoria died while they were camping on the South Downs in wintry conditions last year.

On Wednesday, Marten was cross-examined at the Old Bailey about the couple’s decision to buy a tent and live off grid to hide from authorities.

She told jurors that Bedouin families walk through cold deserts with children, adding: “Jesus survived in a barn.

“I would do anything to protect my child to prevent her being taken by the system that’s abhorrent, yeah.”

She claimed two of her other four children were spat on and physically abused after being taken into care previously.

The wealthy aristocrat told jurors: “I have grown up with luxury, I have been blessed in that respect. I like feathered duvets and comfort.

“I would do anything for my baby. Anything. So it was an easy decision to make. I would rather be in a plush bed in a palace. I would rather be in a nice big bed.”

Prosecutor Joel Smith asked if she considered the conditions were uncomfortable.

Marten replied: “I’m pretty outdoorsy but I would rather be in a bed.”

She went on: “We were not looking to live in a tent. We were acting on instinct. She was our number one priority. We were living in a tent for Victoria.

“A mother’s love for her child is incredibly strong.

“There was no way I was going to part with my child. We were hiding from the entire British public because I was worried about Victoria being taken.”

Marten appeared to become agitated as she insisted Victoria was not “dumped” in the bag.

She told jurors: “It’s awful, I know. The only thing I can say, if someone passes away the immediate reaction is panic.

"Mark and I were not in a good place. We were in fear and grief.

“She was not dumped anywhere. She was with us the whole time.”

Mr Smith asserted the couple were “hideously ill-prepared” to look after Victoria when they travelled from London to the South Downs.

Marten insisted they had a camouflage outfit, a couple of babygrows, a quilt, blanket and sheet for the baby.

The defendant, who described Gordon as her “amazing husband”, told jurors: “We had enough to keep her warm, absolutely. She was our number one priority.”

Jurors were shown CCTV of Marten carrying Victoria underneath her zipped-up jacket in east London on 7 January last year.

In the footage, Marten appeared to adjust the baby after she slipped down in her arms.

Asked if that was an appropriate way to carry a newborn baby, mother-of-five Marten said she had “always” done it with her children.

She said: “As long as it’s secure. People carry children in their arms all the time.”

In further CCTV on the same day, Victoria was seen with her head tilted back as she was lifted up by Marten and placed in a buggy Gordon had bought, but that was designed for an older child.

Mr Smith suggested it showed Marten treated Victoria in a “cavalier fashion”.

The defendant accepted it appeared from the video that she was not supporting Victoria’s head.

She added: “She’s fine. If she was not, she would be howling. I’m confident with my children.”

The defendant insisted the baby, who was dressed only in the teddy bear motif babygrow, was “fine”.

Marten said she did not believe the medical advice warning against keeping a newborn baby outside for long periods.

“I do not agree with it because there are babies who spend hours outside. People live in countries without central heating,” she said.

Mr Smith asked: “At what stage did you decide to live in a tent?”

Marten said she was in a restaurant with Gordon when they decided their idea of living in a flat had “fallen through” over their fear of Victoria being taken away.

She said: “We were not intending to live in a tent. We were intending to lay low for a few days.”

Mr Smith asked: “Did either of you say anything to the effect, 'I’m not sure this is a good idea?'”

Marten said they did not, adding that the other choice was to put their child in care.

Jurors have heard how the couple went on the run from authorities in a bid to keep their baby after their four other children were taken into care.

• The car was seen on fire on the M61. Credit: Metropolitan Police

They abandoned many of their belongings after their car burst into flames near Bolton, Greater Manchester, on 5 January last year.

A few weeks later, when they were finally arrested in Brighton on 27 February, they had refused to answer officers’ urgent questions about where their baby was and whether she was alive or dead.

Victoria’s remains were found by police in the Lidl bag inside a shed on a nearby allotment on 1 March 2023.

The defendants, of no fixed address, deny manslaughter by gross negligence, perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child.

The Old Bailey trial continues.

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