Constance Marten, 35, and Mark Gordon, 48, appeared at the Old Bailey in London (Picture: PA)
An aristocrat and her partner have appeared in court following the death of their baby daughter.
The trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon is due to take place next year.
Both are charged with the manslaughter of baby Victoria, who was found dead in Brighton on March 1 after a huge search.
Today Marten, 35, and Gordon, 48, appeared at the Old Bailey before the Common Serjeant of London, Judge Richard Marks KC.
Marten wore a smart white and black patterned blouse and Gordon was dressed in a grey sweatshirt.
The pair, of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth.
Baby Victoria’s remains were discovered in a plastic bag in a locked shed at an overgrown allotment in the Hollingbury area of the city.
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The discovery came after Marten and Gordon were arrested in Stanmer Villas in Brighton.
An initial post-mortem examination was unable to establish the cause of the child’s death and it is understood that tests are ongoing.
The pair arrived in a Serco prison van to the Old Bailey (Picture: PA)
Gordon and Marten were arrested in Stanmer Villas in Brighton (Picture: Getty Images)
Police attempted to establish Marten and Gordon’s whereabouts for several weeks before their arrest.
The mother of Constance Marten issued an emotional plea at the time for her daughter and partner to return.
Virginie de Selliers pledged to stand by Constance Marten and her grandchild, telling her in a letter: ‘You are not alone in this situation. We will support you in whatever way we can.’
Marten and Gordon were charged on March 2 with the manslaughter of baby Victoria, concealment of the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
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Judge Marks set a plea and case management hearing for August 18 with the defendants to appear by video link.
A provisional trial at the Old Bailey was set for January 2 2024.
The case is expected to last between four and six weeks.
There was no application made for bail and the defendants were remanded into custody.
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Marten wore a smart white and black patterned blouse and Gordon was dressed in a grey sweatshirt.
