Aristocrat Baby Killer Warned to Seek Protection in Notorious Women’s Prison

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Convicted child killer Constance Marten has been advised to ally herself with fellow inmate Lucy Letby for protection as she begins her life sentence in HMP Bronzefield, a high-security women’s prison in Surrey known for housing some of the country’s most dangerous female offenders. The warning comes amid reports that violence against child killers is commonplace within the facility.

Marten, 38, a former aristocrat turned fugitive, is currently incarcerated at the prison following her conviction last month for the manslaughter by gross negligence of her baby daughter, Victoria. Her partner, Mark Gordon, 50, was also found guilty. The pair were sentenced after a dramatic trial at the Old Bailey, during which the jury heard how they went on the run with their newborn in a bid to evade authorities who had previously removed four of their other children from their care.

According to sources within HMP Bronzefield, Marten has so far kept a low profile but shares exercise time with Letby and Beinash Batool, the stepmother of murdered 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Letby, the former nurse convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to kill eight others, has reportedly formed a protective alliance with Batool, with the pair engaging in kitchen duties and recreational games. Marten has yet to integrate with them, though prison insiders have suggested such an alliance may be essential for her safety.

The prison, dubbed by some as the “female monster mansion,” has a reputation for housing high-risk inmates and has been the site of repeated reports of internal violence. Former staff have confirmed that prisoners convicted of harming children are frequent targets. Marten’s presence there, alongside other high-profile female killers, has only added to the prison’s notoriety.

Her case shocked the nation. In January 2023, authorities launched a £1.2 million nationwide manhunt after discovering a burnt-out vehicle with a placenta inside, indicating that Marten had recently given birth. The couple fled across England in taxis, eventually camping on the South Downs during freezing weather. Tragically, baby Victoria died in the tent, and her body was later discovered dumped in a bag.

While in prison, Marten made headlines by appearing on the cover of The View, a publication for female inmates, dressed glamorously in a photo taken years prior. In the accompanying article, she criticised prison conditions and claimed her trial had been prejudiced due to the “inhumane” environment, complaining of long transport times, lack of rest, and poor food. The interview, recorded during her retrial, was seen by some legal experts as an attempt to influence the jury and cast doubt on the fairness of the proceedings.

Her criticisms of the justice system and persistent courtroom disruptions contributed to significant delays and rising costs. The two trials are estimated to have cost the taxpayer approximately £2.8 million.

With her notoriety now cemented, Marten faces a challenging future behind bars. Whether she heeds the advice to seek protection among the prison’s most infamous inmates may determine how she endures her sentence.