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A woman who filmed herself killing a cat before putting the animal in a blender has been found guilty of murdering a man four months later.

Warning: This story contains descriptions and an image that readers may find distressing

Scarlet Blake, 25, live-streamed the dissection of a family pet to New Order’s 1987 hit True Faith after watching a Netflix documentary called Don’t F*** With Cats.

In the programme, Luka Magnotta kills kittens before filming a murder while the same song plays in the background.

Prosecutors said Blake, who is transgender, had a “fixation with violence” and found Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, while searching the streets of Oxford looking for someone to kill in the early hours of 25 July 2021.

The body of the BMW factory worker, a Spanish national who was walking home alone after a night out with work colleagues, was found in the River Cherwell at Parson’s Pleasure around 24 hours later.

Oxford Crown Court heard a murder investigation was launched two years later when Blake’s former partner Ashlynn Bell, who lives in the US, told detectives Blake had confessed to killing Mr Martin Carreno using a homemade garrote.

Jorge Martin Carreno. Pic: Family handout
Image:
Jorge Martin Carreno. Pic: Family handout

Blake pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage over killing the cat but denied murdering Mr Martin Carreno by inflicting blows to his head before trying to strangle him and then putting him in the river where he drowned.

Four months before his death, she used food and a crate to capture a cat and take it to her home, where she killed it.

In the video, in which Blake dissects the animal, removing the fur and skin, she says: “Here we go my little friend. Oh boy, you smell like shit. I can’t wait to put through the blender.”

Prosecutors said it showed she had a “disturbing interest in what it would be like to harm a living creature”.

“It was an interest that went beyond mere fantasy,” Alison Morgan KC told jurors, who were also shown videos of Blake and a partner engaging in consensual strangulation with ligatures.

“She described herself to others as being someone who derived sexual gratification from the thought of violence and the thought of death,” said the prosecutor.

Blake filmed herself killing a cat. Pic: TVP
Image:
Blake filmed herself killing a cat. Pic: TVP

Blake killed a cat before putting it in a blender. Pic: TVP
Image:
Blake killed a cat before putting it in a blender. Pic: TVP

CCTV footage shows Mr Martin Carreno trying to find his way home, while Blake walked the streets, wearing a facemask and distinctive combat-style jacket with hood over her head, while carrying a rucksack.

“He died because he encountered the defendant on that night,” said Ms Morgan.

“He died because he met a person who had a fixation with violence and with knowing what it would feel like to kill someone.”

Blake, who was born in China and came to the UK aged nine, blamed Ms Bell for making her kill the cat.

She said Mr Martin Carreno was still alive when she left him at the riverbank and that she had made up details of killing him to please her ex-partner after seeing his death in the news.

“I told Ashlynn that I killed that person, I made up the details in a dramatic way,” she said.

“I told her I used a garrote that I made to try and remove the person’s head, but it was more difficult than I would have imagined and then I dumped the body in the river, which is what they are now pulling out.”

Scarlet Blake was said to have searched the streets of Oxford looking for a victim. Pic: TVP
Image:
Scarlet Blake was said to have searched the streets of Oxford looking for a victim. Pic: TVP

‘Full of passion and kindness’

Mr Martin Carreno’s family paid tribute to “an extraordinary being full of passion and kindness” who was one of three triplet brothers.

“Today, his absence leaves a deep wound in our hearts,” they said in a statement. “His life was stolen, cutting short his projects and dreams.”

“This tribute is a reminder of Jorge but also a call to justice. There can be no peace until justice is served. We ask not only for justice for him but also for protection to prevent other people, other families, from suffering the immense pain caused by such cruel and senseless murders.”

Thames Valley Police detective superintendent Jon Capps said several aspects of the case were “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 disdain for life,” he added.

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Five-month-old baby dies after ‘neglect incident’ at Legoland Windsor

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Five-month-old baby dies after 'neglect incident' at Legoland Windsor

A five-month-old baby who went into cardiac arrest at Legoland Windsor last week has died in hospital.

The child was in a critical condition following the incident at around 1pm on Thursday 2 May.

A 27-year-old woman from Witham, Essex, was arrested on suspicion of neglecting a child to cause unnecessary injury on Friday.

The woman is on police bail until 26 July.

Police have said they are not looking for any other suspects and have asked the public to “avoid speculation about the incident and to respect the boy’s family at this deeply upsetting time”.

The baby boy died in hospital on Sunday, police said today.

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Investigating officer Detective Constable Zoe Eele, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “We are investigating a distressing incident involving a very young child at Legoland Windsor earlier this week.

“Firstly, our thoughts are with the family of the boy who sadly died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. We are supporting them as best we can at this extremely difficult time.

“We are working closely with the team at Legoland Windsor Resort but would like to speak to anyone who may have information about this incident, specifically anyone who was queueing for the Coastguard HQ boat ride between around 11.30am and 12:45pm.”

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King too busy to see Prince Harry during his UK visit, duke’s spokesperson says

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King too busy to see Prince Harry during his UK visit, duke's spokesperson says

The King is too busy to see Prince Harry during his visit to the UK, the duke’s spokesperson has said.

Harry is in London for an event celebrating 10 years of the Invictus Games.

It marks the first time the royal has been in the country since his rushed visit to see the King in February after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis.

There had been press speculation that the pair would meet up again on his latest trip, but a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex has said the King is too busy to see his son.

“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in
the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme,” the spokesperson said.

“The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Louise Minchin, Prince Harry and Sir Keith Mills .
Pic: Getty Images for The Invictus Games Foundation
Image:
Prince Harry speaks at the event near the City of London. Pic: Getty Images for The Invictus Games Foundation

The King returned to public duties last week for the first time since his diagnosis for an unspecified form of cancer.

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Buckingham Palace has said his diary will be carefully managed to minimise any risks to his health.

The palace has also said it would not comment on matters relating to Harry.

The monarch held an audience with the prime minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace today as Harry was seen in the UK.

Prince Harry and Sir Keith Mill.
Pic: Getty Images for The Invictus Games Foundation
Image:
Pic: Getty Images for The Invictus Games Foundation

Prince Harry
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A Sky News camera captured Prince Harry arriving at an Invictus event in central London

Earlier, a Sky News camera captured Prince Harry arriving at the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters on the edge of the City of London for a one-day summit, called the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation.

The event is looking back over the decade-long history of the games which Harry founded in 2014 as a Paralympics-style sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

It is taking place ahead of a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the games.

The ceremony will be the first major event Harry has attended in Britain for some time.

King Charles III during an audience with Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace today. Pic: PA
Image:
King Charles during an audience with the prime minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at Buckingham Palace today. Pic: PA

Harry hails legacy that ‘transcends sports’

Speaking in a foreword at the summit taking place today ahead of the St Paul’s service, Harry said: “It has been an honour to watch the Invictus Games Foundation grow over the years; what began as a vision to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, has flourished into an international organisation built on hope, strength, and unity.”

The duke also wrote: “We are eager to celebrate the Invictus Spirit once again – exemplified in every single competitor, staff, friend and family member – your commitment, enthusiasm and belief, have been the driving force behind our continued success.”

He added: “Together, we have created a legacy that transcends sports; a community that embraces compassion, respect, and the unyielding belief in the power of the human spirit. As we celebrate this milestone, let us recommit to the Invictus mission.”

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Hollywood star to feature at St Paul’s service

It is not known if any other members of the Royal Family will be in attendance at the ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday.

British actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service.

Representatives from across the Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.

Following his visit to Britain, Harry will be joined by his wife Meghan for a trip to Nigeria.

The Duke of Sussex served in the UK military himself for 10 years from 2005 and was deployed to Afghanistan on two occasions.

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From February: Prince Harry and Meghan visit training camp

Harry was inspired to found the Invictus Games after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and seeing how injured American military personnel thrived on the challenge of taking part in competitive sports that aided their recovery.

He went on to stage the inaugural games in London’s Olympic Park in 2014, followed by Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017 and Sydney 2018.

Harry has been living with Meghan in California since they quit their roles as senior working royals in March 2020.

The couple have two children together – Archie and Lilibet.

Harry has only visited the UK a few times since his decision to move to the US.

His latest trip comes after reports of a rift between himself and his brother William, the heir to the throne.

In a tell-all book published in January last year, Harry made several explosive claims about the royals – detailing fallouts with his family, including William.

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UK weather: Saturday could be hottest day of the year so far as temperatures set to hit 26C

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UK weather: Saturday could be hottest day of the year so far as temperatures set to hit 26C

Temperatures could hit highs of 26C this weekend, with Saturday in with a chance to be the hottest day of the year so far.

Forecasters say temperatures will build over the coming days before coming to a head over the weekend, with mostly clear conditions expected across England and Wales.

By Saturday, the Met Office indicates the south of England could see highs of up to 26C. So far, the hottest temperature recorded this year was in Santon Downham in Suffolk, which saw 23.4C last Thursday.

The forecaster said high pressure will push north throughout the week and bring more warmer and drier conditions after the bank holiday weekend washout.

Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota said: “High pressure is forecast to dominate the UK for the rest of the week and into the weekend.

“High pressure brings dry and settled weather and with warm air sat over the UK this will give some pleasant warm temperatures. There is good confidence that high pressure will last until the weekend.

“Temperatures are expecting to build over the next few days, with a likely peak of Saturday.”

See the latest weather forecast where you are

Scotland and Northern Ireland are also set to enjoy warmer springtime weather, with 22C also forecast on Saturday in Glasgow.

Northern parts of the UK will still see cloudy skies, and patches of moving high pressure are “likely to cause periods of prolonged rainfall” in parts of Northern Ireland and the north of Scotland, Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge said.

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The sunnier skies aren’t set to last long, however. In their long range outlook to 21 May, the Met Office said that Sunday will “likely be the last widely dry and fine day for a while, with warm sunshine for most”.

It added: “After Sunday, the weather is expected to switch back to become changeable across the country, with further spells of rain and showers expected.

“Rainfall amounts could be above average in most areas. It is also possible that rain will be heavy at times, and any showers could turn thundery. Temperatures are also expected to fall closer to average for May.”

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