The Runaway Couple part 1: The turbulent lives of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon

British socialite Constance Marten, 38, and her partner convicted rapist Mark Gordon, 51, prompted a 53-day police manhunt when they went on the run with their newborn daughter in the depths of winter two years ago.

That hunt ended in tragedy after the decomposed body of their baby, Victoria, was discovered in a shopping bag buried under rubbish in Brighton; the couple were camping nearby.

While no definitive cause of the baby’s death could be established, they were found guilty in July of her manslaughter by gross negligence.

The scenes in the Old Bailey in London were as chaotic as their lives and the details that emerged of the birth and death of their daughter were harrowing.

It is thought they went on the run when Marten was pregnant as their four young children had already been taken into care.

Their sentencing is expected in September.

BBC news correspondent Helena Wilkinson takes us inside the courtroom and explains how the tragic case unfolded.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

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