A MURDER trial into the death of a warehouseman whose body was pulled from the River Cherwell over two years ago is starting this week.
Jorge Carreno was found dead in Parson’s Pleasure, a popular bathing spot, on July 26, 2021.
The 30-year-old, who lived in Wilkins Road, Cowley, spent the evening of July 24 out partying with his colleagues.
He was in good spirits, ‘laughing and joking’ with his friends.
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He was last seen with an unknown figure in the early hours of July 25 in Radcliffe Square before his body was found by dog walkers a day later.
Police released CCTV images of the unknown person, appealing for more information, but the case was left ‘open-ended’ at Mr Carreno’s inquest a year later due to a lack of evidence.
In August last year, a young woman was arrested in connection with Mr Carreno’s death and was later charged with murder.
Scarlet Blake is now due to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court tomorrow (February 6).
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Here is everything we know about the case ahead of proceedings:
The evening of July 24, 2021
Leaves the bar
Mr Carreno leaves the Cow and Creek bar and nightclub at 2.10am.
Radcliffe Square
At 3.45am, Mr Carreno is seen ‘stumbling’ into Radcliffe Square in Oxford. A mystery figure comes to speak to him then sits down alongside him. They leave the square together.
Last sighting
At 4.27am, the pair are seen walking towards the Marston cycle path in South Parks Road. This is the last time he was seen. His phone lost signal at about 5am.
July 26, 2021: Body found
At 12.15pm on July 26, dog walkers find Mr Carreno’s body in Parsons Pleasure. His body was found around 200m from where he was last seen on CCTV.
Dr Brett Lockyer, a forensic pathologist who performed the post-mortem, said Mr Carreno was found with some bruises to the left side of his body on his head, shoulder and back which ‘could represent injury from a third party or could be accidental from a fall’.
Dr Lockyer added that there was a possibility that the injuries were caused by a ‘single blow to the head’ and that someone could have ‘held him under water’.
May 26, 2022
At his inquest, senior coroner Darren Salter records a narrative conclusion of ‘immersion with alcohol intoxication’ as recommended by a forensic pathologist but stated the inquest was ‘open-ended’ due to the lack of evidence.
The coroner’s court hears from a detective constable responsible for investigating Mr Carreno’s death, who says of the mystery hooded figure: “We could keep going forever and ever and never establish who this person is.”
October 2022
Thames Valley Police release more CCTV footage showing the hooded figure in Cornmarket. They are wearing a rucksack.
August 9, 2023
Police say they have received new information, leading to the arrest of a 25-year-old woman on suspicion of murder. Officers cordon off a house in Crotch Crescent, Marston.
August 16, 2023
Scarlet Blake appears at Oxford Magistrates' Court charged with murder, theft of an unnamed feline, criminal damage and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The case is sent to Oxford Crown Court.
September 11, 2023
Scarlet Blake appears at Oxford Crown Court and a trial date is fixed for February 2024.
Monday, February 4
The trial is listed in court with a jury due to be sworn in on Tuesday (February 6)
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