Mother of runaway pleads: ‘Let me help you and my grandchild’

THE mother of a missing aristocrat who vanished more than a month ago with her newborn baby and convicted sex offender boyfriend has said she is “ready to do what it takes” to help her daughter and grandchild.

Virginie de Selliers pledged to stand by Constance Marten, 35, telling her: “You are not alone in this situation. “We will support you in whatever way we can.”

Ms Marten and her partner Mark Gordon, 48, have been travelling around the UK by taxi since their car was found burning on the M61 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, on Jan 5.

Police believe the couple are sleeping rough in a blue tent and fear for the safety of the baby, who has not had any medical attention since being born in early January.

In the letter, sent to the PA news agency by a family representative, Mrs de Selliers wrote: “I know you well enough; you are focused, intelligent, passionate and complex with so much to offer the world. So many of your friends have come forward to say such positive things about you, assuring us of their warmest love and support for you and your family.

“With all that you have gone through, this baby cannot be removed from you but instead needs looking after in a kind and warm environment. I want to help you and my grandchild. You deserve the opportunity to build a new life, establish a stable family and enjoy the same freedoms that most of us have.

“You are not alone in this situation.

We will support you in whatever way we can. I am ready to do what it takes for you to recover from this awful experience so you can thrive and enjoy motherhood. I love you and miss you, Mum xx.”

It is the first time that Ms Marten’s mother has said anything publicly about her daughter’s disappearance.

The couple have avoided being traced by police by moving around frequently and keeping their faces covered to thwart CCTV cameras.

A £10,000 reward is on offer for information that leads to them being found safe.

Investigators said that in the months before they vanished, they built up a significant amount of cash and used it to pay for places to stay and taxis around the country. Police said they believe the family may be camping in Sussex.

It was revealed last month that Gordon served 20 years in prison in the US for rape and battery.

‘I am ready to do what it takes for you to recover from this awful experience so you can thrive’