Guilty verdict for murder of Jorge Martin Carreno- Oxford

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, today (23/2) Scarlet Blake has been found guilty of the murder of Jorge Martin Carreno, in Oxford.

Following a three-week trial at Oxford Crown Court, Blake, age 25, of Crotch Crescent, Oxford, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of one count of murder.

Blake was also convicted of one count of criminal damage and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The convictions related to a cat and were admitted prior to the beginning of the murder trial.

Jorge Martin Carreno, was a 30-year-old Spanish national who was living and working in Oxford. He was found dead on Monday 26 July 2021, face down in the water at Parsons Pleasure. An investigation was launched.

Jorge Martin Carreno

Jorge, had been on a happy night out with friends but had become separated from them and subsequently lost.

CCTV footage showed a person, dressed in dark clothing had approached Jorge, as he sat down in the city centre. They then walked together until they were last seen on camera towards the Marston cycle path at around 4.27am on Sunday 25 July.

At the time there was no clear third party involvement in the death. The pathology evidence was inconclusive and the Coroner recorded a narrative verdict. Thames Valley Police continued to investigate the circumstances of the death in an effort to find the person seen in the CCTV and establish what they knew about Jorge’s movements.

In April 2023 information was received from the United States. This information claimed to identify the person seen on the CCTV. Extensive work followed, leading to the arrest of Blake on suspicion of murder in August 2023. Blake was subsequently charged.

Further investigative work placed Blake as the unidentified person walking with Jorge, forensically at the scene of Jorge’s death and uncovered a dark underworld of interest in violence, death and a particular obsession with strangulation, along with a deep desire to murder someone and cause harm. This additional evidence enabled a review of the interpretation of the pathology. The pathology evidence no longer stood alone and the injuries, taken with the particular fixation on strangulation shown by this defendant, proved critical in developing the case.

The convictions for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and criminal damage, relate to the capture, torture and killing of another family’s cat, evidence of which was recovered from Blake’s home address and electronic devices.

The defendant had filmed the killing of the cat. This was a precursor to the killing of Jorge and all the evidence taken together, proved crucial in showing the character of person who was with Jorge in his last moments; not an innocent witness but an individual with a premeditated desire to kill.

Blake made no comment to the evidence of murder over 11 police interviews.

Thames Valley Police’s case has always been that Blake went out in the early hours of the morning intent on finding a vulnerable person in order to kill them. We believe that Blake hit Jorge on the back of the head, rendering him unconscious, before putting hands around his neck and putting him in the water, leaving him to drown.

Throughout this investigation and trial, Blake has shown to be a character that lacks empathy and has lived life in fantasy, devoid of reality, with a complete lack of any remorse or compassion. Blake had an opportunity for a number of years to come forward as the person with Jorge, but chose not to.  

Sentencing will take place on Monday 26 February.

Senior Investigating officer Detective Superintendent, Jon Capps of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said:

“Today’s verdict marks the end of a long and complex investigation. I know that many will want to focus on the actions and behaviour of this defendant.

“There are several aspects of this case that have been truly disturbing to see, hear and deal with. This defendant showed calculated cruelty. The acts Blake has been convicted of are barbaric and chilling. The murder was premeditated with total disregard and distain for life.

“Thankfully crimes such as these are incredibly rare.

“I want rather to focus on Jorge and his family and pay tribute to them and the enormous dignity they have shown throughout this ordeal.

“They have put their trust in my team. I cannot begin to imagine the pain they feel. As the evidence has developed they have had to try to come to terms with this not only being a murder, but the nature and character of this defendant, something that I know has served only to compound the grief they feel. There can be no beginning to understanding this senseless act.

“Jorge was enjoying a night out with friends and had his life in front of him. He had made plans, he was happy and in the words of his friend, ‘ready to enjoy every single drop of his life’. That has been taken away from him. He clearly meant so much to so many. It is Jorge’s life that will be remembered over and above the actions of this defendant. The family tribute is beautiful to read and says more than I ever could possibly do justice to.

“My team have worked tirelessly under enormous pressure to achieve this outcome and put the best possible case before the jury. Their dedication and pride in their work, motivated to obtain justice for Jorge and his family, has been outstanding. In gathering and reviewing evidence, they have been exposed to material that no one should ever have to review. This work is nearly always an unseen part of policing but their resilience has been exceptional. I am proud of all of them.

“We have been assisted throughout this investigation by numerous experts from the National Crime Agency, whose advice proved invaluable. I also want to particularly acknowledge the assistance given to us by the United States Postal Inspection Service in this case; they went out of their way to ensure that recovering evidence and conducting enquiries in the United States was as smooth as possible. Their support helped ensure charges against this defendant and has played a significant part in subsequently securing a conviction.

“The skill and expertise of prosecuting counsel has been plain to see and I extend my sincere thanks to them for sharing the determination to obtain justice for this family.

“I know the jury have had to see and listen to very disturbing evidence and support will be offered to them. I want to thank them for their careful considerations in this case, in difficult circumstances.

“Whilst our investigation can never ease the pain felt by the family, I hope that this outcome at least gives a sense of justice and has given a voice to Jorge, whose life will forever be remembered by all those he meant so much to.”

GFL

You can read the family tribute on our website.