A woman has appeared in court accused of a 2021 murder – and decapitating a cat.

Scarlet Blake, 25, of Crotch Crescent, Oxford, is said by prosecutors to have murdered Jorge Martin Carreno on July 25, 2021.

The 30-year-old’s body was found in the River Cherwell at Parsons Pleasure on July 26, a day after the alleged murder.

She also faces three other charges: theft of a cat, ‘criminal damage’ of the animal, and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Court documents state she allegedly stole the animal, ‘destroyed’ it, and decapitated and dissected it. The decapitation was said to have been caught on camera footage.

The offences were allegedly committed between March 1 and 30, 2021; four months before the alleged murder of Jorge Carreno.

Appearing in front of Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning (August 14), Blake spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and her address. She wore a grey tracksuit and was flanked in the dock in courtroom two by two custody officers.

She was not asked to enter pleas to any of the four offences, which were sent to Oxford Crown Court.

Blake is expected to appear in front of Judge Ian Pringle KC on Wednesday, August 16. The honorary Recorder of Oxford is the only judge based full-time at the St Aldates crown court with permission to hear murder trials.

Remanding her in custody, chairman of the bench Helen Lloyd said: “We’re going to remand you in custody. That will be until August 16 when you will go to the crown court.”

Elona Panxha appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service. Eiran Reilly was for Blake.

The hearing lasted 16 minutes and 14 seconds.