AN injury found on an alleged murder-victim ‘could have been caused by a vodka bottle’, a forensic pathologist has told a court.

Dr Brett Lockyer is giving evidence at Oxford Crown Court today (February 13) where Scarlet Blake, 25, stands charged with the murder of Jorge Carreno at Parsons Pleasure on July 25, 2021.

She is accused of strangling him and pushing him in the water. She denies the charge but has admitted to seeing him hours before his death.

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Taking the jury through his post-mortem examination, Dr Lockyer noted that a deep bruised was found on the back Mr Carreno’s skull, measuring 2cm.

"This is an impact causing bleeding beneath the skin," said Dr Lockyer.

"So it could be from the head hitting an object or an object hitting the head."

He confirmed it was a blunt force trauma injury which ruptured blood vessels beneath the skin, causing a bleed.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC asked: "Is this the type of injury which could cause unconsciousness?"

Dr Lockyer said: "It could do, yes. They'd certainly feel pain after receiving that injury, yes."

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When asked what sort of object could have caused the injury, Dr Lockyer said there is a possibility of a 'vodka bottle being used as a weapon' to cause this type of injury and not smashing during the process.

Earlier in the trial, it was heard a vodka bottle lid was found at Parsons Pleasure and Blake’s DNA was found on the lid.

No vodka bottle, however, was ever recovered.

Ms Morgan KC told the jury earlier in the trial that Blake’s financial records showed a purchase for a bottle of vodka online.

Continuing with his evidence, Dr Lockyer also noted that there was 'congested-type haemorrhaging' in the face which can be caused by post-mortem changes but was ‘more likely to have happened in life’.

"Especially given the circumstances as I know them now,” he said.

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The jury heard that Dr Lockyer had not considered strangulation when examining Mr Carreno in August 2021 because, at the time, there was no evidence from police of third-party involvement.

The jury heard there were some external injuries found on Mr Carreno’s body including several abrasions but otherwise it was concluded that he was a ‘very healthy’ man at the time of his death.

The trial continues.