New sighting of missing couple and newborn baby who…

New sighting of missing couple and newborn baby who vanished from motorway over a week ago

A missing couple and their newborn baby have been spotted in east London, Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

Constance Marten, 35, and her partner Mark Gordon, 48, disappeared after the car they were travelling in broke down on the M61 near Bolton on Thursday, January 5, before leaving on foot with their baby boy. Police believe that Constance had given birth 'very recently' and that neither she nor the baby have been seen by doctors since.

In the days after their disappearance the family were spotted in Harwich and in Colchester in Essex, with police sweeping the city's hotels and B&B's to try and find them. In an update issued this morning (January 13), Met Police said detectives at Essex Police have established that the trio took a taxi from Harwich to East Ham station, in Newham in east London, on the morning of last Saturday (January 7).

The Met is now leading the search for the family. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who is leading the investigation, issued a direct appeal to the pair to 'think about their child's health and wellbeing'.

He said: "It has now been more than a week since Constance and Mark’s car broke down on the M61, and we are growing increasingly concerned not only for their welfare, but for the welfare of their newborn child. Being on the move for a week must be exhausting for new parents and a newborn baby.

"Constance and Mark, I appeal directly to you, please think of your baby’s health and wellbeing and get in touch with us so we can ensure your child is medically well and has no underlying issues. Please do this for your child. You wouldn’t be able to forgive yourself if they became poorly.

"All we want to do is help you and your baby.” The M.E.N previously revealed how Constance is from an aristocratic landowning family in Dorset with 'ties to the Royal Family'.

But it is understood she has not been in close contact with them for a considerable time. The car the couple were in had only been purchased six days before they went missing.

The vehicle broke down near junction four of the M61 near at Farnworth on January 5, before the family left the motorway by walking towards Anchor Lane bridge, which links the Highfield and Little Hulton areas. A missing persons investigation was launched by Greater Manchester Police.

Officers believe the family then travelled to Liverpool and then onwards to Harwich. There were also confirmed sightings of them in Colchester.

Subsequently, the investigation was handed over to Essex Police on Monday, January 9. Essex Police carried out a number of enquiries and reviewed hours of CCTV and were able to place the couple at East Ham Station between 11.45am and 12.30pm on Saturday, January 7.

Det Supt Basford urged members of the public to get in touch with any information about the whereabouts of the couple. He said: "This is a fast-moving investigation and we have a number of officers from across the Met carrying out urgent enquiries to find Constance, Mark and their baby.

"The help from members of the public has been invaluable over the past week, and I would appeal to anyone who believes they have seen Constance, Mark or their new-born baby – either in London or further afield – to contact us without delay. Together we can ensure they and their new-born baby are safe and well."

Anyone who has information on the family’s whereabouts should call the incident room on 020 7175 0785. Alternatively, information can be reported 100 per cent anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask for personal details and they do not trace your device.

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