The baby was named Victoria
Constance Marten and Mark Gordon reportedly blew a kiss at each other in the dock as they appeared in court Friday for the first time accused of gross negligence manslaughter over the death of their baby.
The couple were arrested in Brighton in Monday, two days before their daughter was found after a major search operation in Sussex.
The court today heard that the baby, was a girl, named Victoria, and that she was found in a shed, in a bag, under a pile of nappies, The Sun reported. The couple had called her Victoria.
The date of the infant’s death was said to be sometime between Jan 8 and Feb 27, the publisher said.
Marten, 35, and Gordon, 48, were also charged with concealing a birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
During Friday’s hearing the pair spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth. They were remanded in custody and are due to re-appear in court on 31 March.
Marten and Gordon were arrested on Stanmer Villas in Brighton, having been reported missing on January 5 after their car broke down near junction four of the M61, near Bolton. They then actively avoided authorities until their arrest – sleeping rough, and changing locations often. Their baby had gone without medical attention since its birth.
Marten, who is from a wealthy family with royal links, has lived an isolated life with Gordon since they met in 2016. When Gordon was 15, he was arrested and found guilty of kidnap and sexual battery, and later sentenced to 20 years jail.
Police on Thursday said they have been unable to confirm the gender of the baby who “may have been dead for some time before they were found”.
Detective superintendent Lewis Basford said: “It’s too early for us to provide a specific date because we believe the death occurred during the course of a missing persons investigation, we have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office of Police (IOPC) Conduct, this is a standard protocol for such circumstances.”
The IOPC said in a statement that it is “currently assessing the referral to determine what, if any, further action is required from us”.
Police had long feared for the child’s safety due to a lack of medical attention and sub-zero temperatures.
Days before her arrest, Marten is said to have made a visit to Brighton Food Bank.
One worker said they did not ask for anything for an infant, even though they had ample supplies of nappies and baby food, the Mail reported.
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