08 December 2023 , 18:03
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An aristocrat who allegedly killed her newborn daughter is having her defence case paid for by the taxpayer.
Constance Marten, 36, vanished with Mark Gordon, 49, and their daughter Victoria in January. A court heard Victoria was discovered dead in a plastic bag in a shed under a heap of nappies on an allotment in Brighton, East Sussex.
Both Marten and Gordon deny the manslaughter of Victoria by gross negligence, concealment of the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. They also deny child cruelty and causing or allowing the death of a child between January 4 and February 27.
Marten today appeared via video link at the Old Bailey, which heard she is now receiving legal aid to fund her defence. She had previously told the court that the trust fund which controls her finances had failed to pay her solicitors and they had withdrawn their services.
Mark Gordon will also stand trial accused of manslaughter (Getty Images)
Gordon is led out Crawley Police Station earlier this year (PA)A six-week trial is set to begin at the court in London on January 2.
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Marten was born to a wealthy family and grew up at Dorset estate Crichel House and her grandmother was a playmate of Princess Margaret. The promising drama student met Gordon in 2016 and they led a nomadic lifestyle after leaving their home in southeast London last September. Marten worked as a freelance photographer before starting her drama course, and dropped out when she met Gordon.