The ‘murdered’ body of Jorge Martin Carreno was discovered by a wildlife photographer who was birdwatching, a court heard.

Craig Prosser found the 30-year-old’s body in Parsons Pleasure, a popular bathing spot in University Parks, on July 26, 2021.

He was trying to photograph kingfishers when he made the unfortunate discovery, Oxford Crown Court heard on Friday.

READ MORE: 'I saw them bringing out the body': Neighbours of 'murdered' woman shocked

Taking to the stand, Mr Prosser was forced to stop talking several times as he became overcome with emotion.

It came on the third day of a murder trial in which Scarlet Blake, 25, is accused of killing Mr Carreno as he walked home from a night out.

She allegedly started a conversation with the BMW plant worker in Radcliffe Square, took him to Parsons Pleasure, and strangled him.

READ MORE: Who was 'murder victim' Jorge Carreno? 

Blake, who is being defended by Richard Sutton KC, has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Mr Carreno’s body was discovered in Parsons Pleasure more than 24 hours later with bruising to the head, shoulder and back.

The court heard it was found at midday by Mr Prosser, who would visit the park on a “regular basis” to look for wildlife.

Oxford Mail: Scarlet Blake at an earlier court hearing Scarlet Blake at an earlier court hearing (Image: Hyde News)"I stood on top of the cement rock," he said, as he was questioned by Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC.

“To my left, I saw what looked like a black satchel floating on the top.

"I regularly see things floating in the water, my initial reaction was to try and pull it from the water and put it on the side.

"I probably would have needed a branch to fish it out.

“Then to my left, I saw the bottom, the sole of a shoe. It was white, or cream-coloured.

“I then saw what looked like the hem of cream trousers.

"I wanted someone else to confirm before I phoned the emergency services so I waited for some passers-by."

The court heard he flagged down Jack Randall and Sam Barnsley, who were walking their puppy, Ralph, in the park.

Mr Randall, who also took to the stand, said: "This male said, 'I'm ever so sorry but I can't quite believe what I'm seeing, there's something in the water. Can you come and have a look?'

“I said, 'Yeah, I think it looks like a body'. What I saw was a person laying downwards in the water."

“It was really shocking," he added.

Mr Prosser then phoned the emergency services, the court heard.

The jury was also shown edited footage from the bodycam of PC Maxwell Wilkins, the first police officer on the scene, who arrived to find the body being pulled out of the water by members of the fire service.

Despite Mr Carreno’s body being pixelated, his family, who have been in court every day, chose to leave the courtroom while the footage was played.  

The trial, which is being heard under Judge Martin Chamberlain KC, continues.

Additional reporting by Gee Harland.