Systemic Failures Enabled Serial Offender Simon Levy's Murders
Police and prosecution services admit failings after Levy, on bail for sex attacks, was released early and went on to kill two women.
Sarah Connor
Simon Levy received convictions for murder, rape, and near-fatal suffocation.
The Crown Prosecution Service admitted its failure, not opposing bail at the initial hearing and then failing to provide all relevant information at the second.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) served misconduct notices on a Met Police constable and a detective sergeant following Levy's conviction.
Two Met officers are reportedly under investigation by the police watchdog over alleged failings; the Met downgraded Levy's risk assessment from high to medium in August 2024.
British Transport Police arrested Levy in November 2024 for sexual assaults on the Tube.
Prosecutor Neil John declared, "Simon Levy is a dangerous and predatory offender. His crimes were calculated, cruel and deeply disturbing."
John added that throughout the trial, Levy "has shown complete disregard for the victims and victim-survivor, despite being fully aware of the lasting and devastating impact of his actions."
He took away my soul that night and he took away my dignity.
A surviving rape victim stated, "He took away my soul that night and he took away my dignity."
Judge Mark Lucraft KC told Levy, "You are clearly someone who ruthlessly exploits others for your own personal sexual satisfaction."
Laura, a victim, claims the police turned her nightmare into 'real life' by allowing Levy to continue his attacks and murders.
She claims Metropolitan Police officers turned her away eight years ago when she tried to report the crime, stating they were 'busy with more urgent things'.
Laura feels betrayed by the police, believing she was trying to protect other women by ensuring her attacker was jailed.
Laura claims she feels let down by the entire criminal justice system, including the Met Police, British Transport Police, the courts and judges who bailed Levy, and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Laura claims, "They're all as guilty for allowing him to continue to do what he was doing."
She further claims, "They could have prevented so many women from being hurt, they could have prevented two women from losing their lives."
Laura claims the officer did not ensure her safety or search for Levy that day, despite her and another woman providing a photograph of him.
Kevin Southworth stated, "There’s a collective system failure here, which has left Levy free to go on offending in this awful manner and left these victims at risk from his prolific offending."
Southworth concluded that this is "something which ourselves and colleagues across the criminal justice system will need to reflect on."
Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo's body was found on March 17, 2025, in a block of flats on the Aylesbury estate in south-east London.
Ms Wilkins was discovered behind a car park wall near Tottenham High Road, north London; both women were reportedly suffocated to death in sexually motivated attacks.
Levy reportedly subjected a third woman to a sex attack in January 2025 in the same car park where Ms Wilkins' body was later found.
Lindsey Hicks, speaking about Sheryl Wilkins, said, "Sheryl was a beautiful soul who was cruelly taken away."
Hicks added, "This last year has been the worst year of our lives and the pain you have put us through has been unbearable."
She told Levy, "You, Simon Levy, have destroyed our lives and we will never ever get over this."
Nazly Johana Fuenmayor Valencia, speaking about Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, said, "There's an emptiness that can't be filled."
Valencia added, "She was a truly special person who gave so much love to others. Her kindness, her smile and the love she shared so freely will stay with us forever."
Valencia also noted, "She came to this country to give her children a better life and for safety, and her life was taken so cruelly."