The Audio Long Read ‘A relentless, destructive energy’: inside the trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon
Jul 25, 2025
The podcast dives into the gripping trial of a couple accused of their newborn's death. It uncovers their tumultuous past and the courtroom's emotional chaos. Tension rises as one defendant navigates self-representation amid serious charges. The narrative grapples with themes of parental love and neglect, revealing the complexities of parenting under scrutiny. The emotional weight of the trial culminates in a unanimous guilt verdict, sparking questions about justice and family dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Complex Couple's Tragic Flight
- Constance Martin, daughter of an aristocrat, and Mark Gordon, with a violent criminal past, had a complex relationship marked by stark contrasts.
- Their story captivated public attention as a couple on the run with a newborn under tragic circumstances.
Avoiding Social Services Oversight
- Martin and Gordon traveled to avoid social services' oversight, fearing their newborn would be taken from them like their previous children.
- This avoidance contributed to the circumstances leading to Victoria's death while camping.
Neglect Despite Means
- Despite having the means, Martin and Gordon lived in severely inadequate conditions with their newborn.
- Prosecutor Tom Little argued this neglect led to Victoria's death, framing it as gross negligence manslaughter.
