22 September 2023 , 21:19
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Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner were told off as they chatted in the dock during a brief court appearance today.
Marten was seen talking to co-defendant Mark Gordon as they appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday for an update on their legal representation. Both of the accused addressed the court individually as it was heard Gordon was still seeking representation.
Gordon, 49, and Marten, 36, sparked a national manhunt in January after both were reported missing immediately after she had given birth. Their newborn, a girl named Victoria, was tragically later found deceased on an allotment in Brighton.
Both parents are charged with manslaughter, concealing a birth and perverting the course of justice in relation to the search, which spanned nearly two months. They are due to go on trial early next year.
Ms Marten briefly addressed the court (Facebook)In the brief hearing on Friday, Marten - wearing a white blouse and red lipstick - chatted with Gordon who took his seat next to her wearing a grey tracksuit and green cap. The pair were then separated as Gordon was told to sit on the other side of a prison officer.
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They then continued to speak throughout the hearing being told off by an officer. Gordon, who is still without representation, stood to address the court at one point.
He told the court: "Thank you my lordship, I was wondering if this hearing could potentially be adjourned until I have a solicitor instructed and they could partake in what is happening right now. I've approached a few solicitors and should have one within a day or so.
Gordon pictured following a hearing at Crawley magistrates court in March (PA)
Multiple possible sightings were recorded and put out by police during the two-month search (PA)"I think this matter is so serious it shouldn't go ahead without me being represented." Marten also addressed the court after interrupting proceedings.
She said: "I'm so sorry your honour, I'm sorry to interrupt but I haven't spoken to my solicitor yet. It's urgent that I speak to him." Her solicitor, Paul Britton, then went to the back of the court to speak to her in the dock.
Recorder of London Judge Mark Lucraft KC told Gordon it was his responsibility to find a new lawyer as soon as possible. A new hearing date for an application to dismiss charges was set for October 12.
Hundreds of officers from both the Met Police and Sussex Police searched 90 square miles at the beginning of March for the baby. It followed weeks of sightings of the couple on CCTV wearing heavy outdoor clothing and carrying bags.
Baby Victoria was sadly found on an allotment in Brighton on March 1 (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)Marten and Gordon were reported missing on January 5 after leaving their car on a motorway in Bolton. Prosecutor Jeremy King told the court in an earlier hearing that the baby's placenta was found in the vehicle with Marten's passport next to it.
Marten grew up as part of a wealthy family with links to royalty, as her grandmother was a childhood friend of Princess Margaret while her estranged father Napier Marten was a page to the late-Queen. Marten's mother, Virginie de Selliers, was the Queen Mother's goddaughter.
Mr Marten and her mother Virginie de Selliers made public pleas for Constance's whereabouts through the media while police offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the couple being found.
The trial is set for January 2, 2024.
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