Constance Marten and her boyfriend Mark Gordon are charged with gross negligence

Constance Marten and her lover Mark Gordon have been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

The couple were arrested in Brighton on Monday night, ending a nationwide police hunt that began when they fled seven weeks ago with their baby.

But Marten, 35, and partner Gordon, 48, were without the newborn when officers swooped in to arrest them.

The Crown Prosecution Service has this evening confirmed it has authorised charges to be brought against the couple, who will appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning. 

Marten and Gordon have also been charged with concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.

Mark Gordon, 48, and Constance Marten, 35, had been missing for 54 days, sleeping rough in a tent

Barry Hughes, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said: ‘The CPS has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Constance Marten and Mark Gordon with gross negligence manslaughter.

‘Constance Marten, aged 35, and Mark Gordon, aged 48, have also been charged with concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice. 

‘These charges arise from their arrest on Monday as a result of a lengthy police investigation to establish their whereabouts and that of their baby.’ 

It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

It comes after the remains of a newborn were found close to a public footpath in an area not yet searched by police in Brighton yesterday.

Officers have so far not been unable to confirm the infant’s gender and a post-mortem has not yet taken place, while police say it is also too early to provide a specific date of death.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.