Aristocrat Constance Marten has retreated into her prison cell and shunned fellow inmates after receiving a 14-year jail term for the death of newborn daughter Victoria.
The disgraced 38-year-old has rejected multiple work opportunities offered by prison staff at her new home behind bars. The news comes as a report inside Utah’s ‘hellhole’ prison where Tyler Robinson could face firing squad if convicted was published.
Prison officers now maintain constant surveillance over Marten due to mounting concerns she may attempt self-harm or face violent attacks from other prisoners following her sentencing.
Round-the-clock monitoring begins
Authorities have launched an ACCT – Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork – file on Marten to track her mental state and physical safety.
The former socialite, who grew up in luxury at Critchel House, one of Dorset’s most exclusive stately homes, now carries the prison number A9624X at the notorious HMP Bronzefield in Surrey.
Her new quarters place her on Unit 4 among Britain’s most dangerous female killers, including disgraced ex-nurse Lucy Letby and Beinash Batool, the mother of murdered 10-year-old Sara Sharif.
Prison source reveals shocking behaviour
A prison insider revealed: “She has reacted to the sentence very badly and thought she would get off much more lightly.
“Since returning to jail from the Old Bailey, Constance has basically cowered in her cell and tried not to come out.
“She knows she is a target because of her high-profile and notoriety.
“The staff have offered her a few jobs that would be considered plum roles inside – including as a cleaner, in the library and the kitchen.
“But she has turned them all down and won’t do anything. This is probably because she doesn’t want to mix with others.
“But if you are the librarian, for example you get the pick of books and DvDs or you’d get extra food in the kitchen.
“These are incentives most people would give their right arm for but she isn’t interested.
“She has also asked for a move off the unit so she is away from child killers like Letby and Batool.
“She thinks her crime is much less serious than theirs and views them as killers – although that’s exactly what she is.
“It has been explained to her that she is in the same category as them, and would be in much more danger on a different unit.
“The severity of her crime and her sentence does not seem to have sunk in and she is a bit deluded.
“Constance will not engage at all.
“Officers are monitoring her really closely, which they have to do under the terms of the ACCT and trying to ensure she doesn’t come to harm.
“They have to come up with a post-sentence plan for her but it is really difficult because of her behaviour.”
Conviction follows expensive legal battle
Marten and partner Mark Gordon, 51, both received 14-year sentences after their conviction in January following two costly trials that drained millions from the public purse.
During sentencing proceedings, Marten clashed with court officials when they prevented her from sending messages to Gordon, who has previous rape convictions.
The fallen aristocrat – who must serve two-thirds of her term as will Gordon – intends to challenge her conviction through the appeals process.
Trail of tragedy unfolds
Their first trial resulted in convictions for concealing a birth, child cruelty and perverting the course of justice.
A second trial in July delivered guilty verdicts for gross negligence manslaughter.
The couple fled with their fifth child Victoria into brutal winter weather after social services removed their previous four children.
Baby Victoria’s remains were discovered inside a Lidl shopping bag at a Sussex allotment in January 2023, ending a nationwide police hunt.
Sodexo, the company operating HMP Bronzefield, declined to discuss individual prisoners when approached for comment.
