Constance Marten case — I feel the police have some responsibility too

[Siff]

I know Constance Marten and her partner made dangerous and illegal choices, and I’m not excusing that — a baby died and that’s heartbreaking. But I can’t stop thinking about the way the case was handled and whether the police have some responsibility in how things unfolded.

As a mum of four who’s struggled mentally after birth, I keep thinking: if I had just given birth, was vulnerable, and felt like the whole world was hunting me down — would I have thought clearly? Probably not. The media coverage was intense, and the police were everywhere. The pressure must have been overwhelming.

I honestly believe the fear created by the police operation pushed them into making more and more desperate and risky decisions to stay hidden. It wasn’t just a search — it felt like a witch hunt. No safeguarding, no attempt to reach her as a vulnerable mother, just a hard push to capture and punish.

I think that approach had consequences. The police must take some responsibility for creating the kind of fear and pressure that led to this tragedy. The way they went about it likely made things worse — not better — for the baby.

It’s easy to say she was selfish or unstable, but mental health in the postnatal period is fragile. People don’t always think rationally when terrified. I just wish there had been more humanity in how it was all handled.
Anyone else feel the same?

I’ve read the court transcripts that have been released and have just watched the sentencing. I assume you haven’t, otherwise you wouldn’t be spouting such conspiratorial nonsense.

The police mobilised because they were trying to save the life of a vulnerable new born baby. Have you seen the video of their arrest? He's demanding food then moaning about mayonnaise while the police are trying to get info to try to save Victoria, who they still hoped was alive. It wasn't wasn't a witch-hunt, it was an attempt to find a tiny baby before she died at the hands of people who'd already proved they would harm children.

What is wrong with some people?

She was not a good mother. I don't think you've read anything have you?!

Cases like these are always going to attract some conspiracist weirdos\

At sentencing there were women in the public gallery who support Marten because they're against social services taking away any child ever from their parents.

Idiots.

She's got 14 years and if she carries on behaving as she has so far in prison she will get no time off.

Edited to add and her mother who, according to some, did everything to conspire against her and have her banged up, actually wrote her a supportive character reference for the sentencing.

nope she was not allowed to stay warm

They could have kept the baby warm. When they were on the run they were spending money on taxi rides from one side of the country to the other, but couldn't manage to buy adequate clothing or a warm carrycot and blankets/sleeping bag for Victoria.

The judge made the point that she didn't have a coat or hat.

I cant believe how much her parents stuck up for her and said she was a kind person etc. Surely at this stage, you'd just keep quiet?

I mean this with as much respect as a can muster

What in the name of giddy fuck chat GBT enhanced shittery are you talking about?

Some people cannot comprehend that such horrific actions can come without excuse. Marten made poor decision after poor decision and only ever held her and Gordon’s best interests at heart. How anyone can read up on this case and coin her some innocent and kind soul is beyond me, and honestly, can IMO only come from a place of disbelief that a woman/ mother could ever treat their child in this way.

Victoria was not their first child nor was she the only child to suffer harm as a consequence of their actions. Marten could have done things differently but she chose not to, she consistently chooses not to.

People who find themselves in these situations rarely have the ability to reflect on their own behaviour and would rather convince themselves (and others) that someone else is to blame. That is how some of the worst of human kind still have supporters backing their side of the story (they have told everyone a version of events that fits their narrative and the story is flipped so they are the victim).

Their sentence could never have been long enough.

She had 4 children removed from her previously.

😆 it’s like you read my mind!

This. No sympathy for either of them.

Chamille

Could you at least wonder and answer me this

How come both parents had lovely warm coats and hats yet their baby wore only a thin babygro in the depths of winter?

You can see it in the CCTV footage.

Constance Marten is 38 now. Let’s hope after the 14 years in prison she will have gone through the menopause and will never get pregnant again.

Huge police numbers mobilised and yet the poor soul still couldn’t be saved. Because her parents did not give a fuck. Those police were mobilised to find an innocent, at risk NEWBORN. And she ended up dead through the fault of her parents. Because they felt they knew better. Knew better? They slept with her in a tent in JANUARY. And now she is DEAD. So I think the parents proved without a doubt they should never have been trusted, they never put their children first and they are never fit to be parents.

Honestly just think about the shite you are drivelling. There’s a dead child, who died in the ‘care’ of her parents and you want to make it everyone else’s fault. It’s pathetic.

Unfortunately the MANopause doesn't exist and her partner-in-crime could feasibly be released only to impregnate the next generation's supply of gullible idiots.

This is a great question for @Chamille

This factually happened, they knew it was cold enough that they needed warm winter coats on. Their baby was dressed in an outfit completely unsuitable for the same weather they were dressed for.

Do you think safe, loving parents would dress themselves for the bitter cold but not their tiny baby?

@Butchyrestingface that is a depressing thought isn’t it?

If it were my daughter, I’d be keeping very quiet about the fact. I could never support her in any way.

Constance, stop hogging the jail computer. Other prisoners want to use it.

I feel for their existing 4 children, who I believe have been adopted.

Imagine reaching 18 or whatever age, deciding you want to trace your biological parents, and THAT is what you're confronted by.

Hopefully the adoptive parents have been given some kind of steer in how to handle the situation should that day arrive.

Marten and Gordon have been in remand for a significant amount of time. Plenty of time to reflect on their choices and what happened to their baby girl.

But according to the BBC live reporting, they sat in the dock today chatting to each other. Marten was writing notes and trying to pass them to Gordon. She was seen making love hearts with her hands towards him. They had to be told off by the judge more than once for their behaviour in court today.

No remorse. No reflection. Even after all this time. Absolutely disgraceful.

The reports regarding the previous contact with the courts and social services is incredibly upsetting. Two damaged adults who consistently put themselves and their relationship above the needs and welfare of their own children.

They deserve prison. Marten could very well be out in less than 7 years…14 year sentence, serve 2/3 so 9 and a bit years. She’s been on remand for over 2 years already.

I don’t say this lightly because of the connotations but both Marten and Gordon should be heavily encouraged to get sterilised before release.

What a relief that these two bonehead child killers have now been put away.

The children of Britain (theirs in particular, as well as any future children they might have had, and put in harm's way) will be protected from their bumbling, self-absorbed malevolence for at least 7 years. Likely more, as it's pretty clear CM should never have another child and therefore, as a pp has said, she needs to be post-menopausal before she's released. So sad it won't be possible to stop MG. After 2+ years in jail the two are still entitled and unremorseful, and will be just as unremorseful in a decade.

Some, including the parents who have had their children removed and showed up in court to support these two killer clowns, and ostensibly the OP, are still trying to blame everyone else for the monstrous actions of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon.

One can only feel sorry for such folks, and for any children they may still have parental responsibility for: clearly, basic notions of child protection and safeguarding escape them entirely. Such "lack of insight" explains why there is still the need, every single day, for Children's Services to remove children from the care of abusive and neglectful parents. And explains why some people, including the OP, simply refuse to engage with the facts of this case and remain stuck in la-la-land, arguing the indefensible.

As this case has demonstrated, the UK child protection system is far from perfect, and if anything is excessively lenient towards abusive and neglectful parents, leaving them with leeway to harm children and cause wrongful deaths. In my view the Courts were also excessively lenient towards CM and MG, allowing them to behave outrageously throughout the trials and even in the dock today. Schoolchildren get punished more for less bad behaviour.

But I suppose at least we can feel a sense of justice for baby Victoria, even if her life wasn't saved. And Britain's worst parents, CM and MG, have been prevented from harming more children.

lol im thinking about "the shite you are drivelling" like you were there with them and saw everything. take your big ego somewhere else it is not needed at this time. This is a post with a question and people on line are giving their opinion. you gave yours so dont you insult other who give theirs. it makes you look like a lowlife simpleton.

They are so obsessed with each other I doubt either will move on to anyone else.

AI whats that? I am educated and experienced, I do not need any help from anyone to respond to online posts. very basic ones too.. Keep your jealousy to yourself it does not make you shine.