Constance Marten and Mark Gordon charged with gross negligence manslaughter



Constance Marten and Mark Gordon have been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after remains of a baby were found in an area of woodland.

The body of a newborn was found on Wednesday following a massive search operation around Brighton.

Prosecutors said they are also accused of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.

Ms Marten, 35, and Gordon, 48, are due to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Friday.

They were first arrested on Monday and held in custody for questioning, before being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service on Thursday evening.

Police said earlier on Thursday it was "too early" to say when the infant died or establish its sex.

The Metropolitan Police said a post-mortem examination would take place on Friday.

Barry Hughes, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said: "These charges arise from their arrest on Monday as a result of a lengthy police investigation to establish their whereabouts and that of their baby.

"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Constance Marten and Mark Gordon are active and that they have the right to a fair trial."

Ms Marten and Gordon were detained following a 53-day missing persons search which led to a wooded area in East Sussex.

Hundreds of officers using sniffer dogs, thermal cameras, helicopters and drones were drafted in to look for the infant.

The Metropolitan Police has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the baby died during a missing persons investigation it was leading.

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