Constance Marten trial: Aristocrat denies she ‘dumped’ baby in Lidl bag with beer can and rubbish

Answering questions about the couple’s decision to purchase a tent and live off-grid, Marten refused to be drawn on whether it was a “big” choice, stressing that she did so to ensure her child was not taken by social services.

“I don’t particularly want to be in a tent, I’ve grown up with a lot of luxury,” she said. “I like the feathered duvets and comfort but i will do whatever is necessary. I will do anything for my baby, anything.”

When pressed about the suitability of a tent for a newborn, she said: “Of course it’s not comfortable, I’d rather be in a plush bed in a palace.”

However, she stressed that the decision to live in a tent was only meant to be for a “pitstop” until they found somewhere to live in the countryside.

“It’s a situation you can’t really prepare for, you act on instinct,” she said. “A mother’s love for her child is very strong and no way was I going to part with my child.”

The trial has resumed after Marten and the jurors received a short break ahead of further questioning from Mr Smith.

Marten has repeated her claim that the court is looking from a “Western perspective” at the couple’s decision to use a tent.

“You thought this was okay?” Mr Smith repeatedly asked. “I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think it was okay,” Marten responded.

“I just think you’re looking at this from a Western perspective, people live in shanti towns and people have lived across the world in tents.”

This echoed her comments during last week’s cross-examination, when she referred to refugees living in Calais and people living in igloos.

“We weren’t intending to live in a tent, we were intending to lay low for a while,” she said.

Accusing the couple of treating their newborn in a “cavalier fashion”, Mr Smith showed the jury a video of them holding Victoria in a kebab shop in East Ham which appeared to show her head unsupported.

In response, she repeatedly stressed: “You’re trying to make something of nothing, she’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with her.”

Mr Smith replied: “Is that the issue in this case, you never understand what’s wrong?”

Becoming frustrated, Marten responded that her older children had been taken from her and that social services had said that they were “happy, well-fed, well-looked after, content children”.

Taking issue with Mr Smith’s phrase that her baby Victoria was “dumped” in a Lidl rubbish bag, she said: “Don’t use that word, I would say the word placed not dumped”.

When countered that a sandwich wrapper and a beer can had also been found in the bag, she responded: “The can was quite a while afterwards.”

“I don’t think you can comprehend something unless you’re going through it,” she told jurors. “Mark and I weren’t in a good place, we were completely gripped with fear and grief.”

Beginning his questioning, Mr Smith has repeatedly asked Marten about her use of a homemade sling, and whether it was appropriate to hide a newborn child under a jacket.

“I’ve always done that will all my kids,” Marten replied.

Recalling the items she and Gordon were carrying with them to keep Victoria warm, she recalls that they had a blue onesie, two baby grows, the clothes she was wearing and some undergarments. They also carried a quilt, a red blanket and a pink sheet.

Ahead of the jury entering, Constance Marten has returned to the witness box for her fourth day of cross-examination.

She has appeared in court wearing a floral blouse, and is expected to face further questioning from prosecutor Joel Smith.

Constance Marten is due to return to the dock shortly.

Wednesday is the fourth day the aristocrat has been giving evidence in her trial at the Old Bailey.

Stay with us for the latest updates.

The trial has adjourned for the day, with Constance Marten’s cross-examination due to resume on Wednesday morning at 10.30am.

Becoming frustrated, Marten told the court that press attention to the case is “seriously affecting witnesses”, after she disagreed with a particular witness statement.

She added: “I think people are exaggerating and making things up. It can affect cases.

“I think people think that we are really bad people. Having such media attention can affect people’s witness statements.”