A wealthy aristocrat accused of killing her newborn baby while on the run from authorities has been described in court as a “lioness” who loved her “cubs”.
Constance Marten, 36, and her partner Mark Gordon, 49, are on trial at the Old Bailey over the death of their daughter Victoria.
Jurors have heard how Marten gave birth in secret and lived off-grid in a tent on the South Downs to evade authorities after their other four children were taken into care.
Marten has claimed her daughter died by accident when she fell asleep holding the child under her jacket in the tent.
The prosecution allege Victoria was exposed to cold wintry conditions with only a babygrow and vest to wear.
In his closing speech, Gordon’s barrister John Femi-Ola KC disputed the way the prosecution had cast the defendants.
He told jurors: “In opening this case, she and her partner Mark Gordon were described as callous and cruel.
“That woman you saw in the witness box over a number of days, ask yourself in all honesty, is callous the first image that comes into your mind?
“The name Constance is rooted in Latin. Constania, it means steadfastness, resolute, faithful, loyal, dedicated and perseverance no matter the obstacle.”
Mr Femi-Ola suggested that while giving evidence she had been “posh but polite, calm and intelligent”.
He said: “You may think she was resolute. You may think her deep, deep love for her children overflowed.
“She is not a person to be pushed around by any man, partner or barrister. She has a strong mind of her own.
“You may think that she is a lioness, talking about her children like her cubs. She loved them.”
Mr Femi-Ola said co-sleeping did not amount to neglect, pointing out 149,000 babies sleep with their parents every night in the UK.
On how Victoria died, he said: “It was a tragic accident and one can only imagine the sheer terror they must have felt when their beautiful daughter passed.”
Mr Femi-Ola reminded jurors how the “unlikely couple” had met in a shop in Tottenham, north London, before travelling together in Latin America.
