A prolific sex offender has been found guilty of murdering two women and violently raping a third, as a series of missed opportunities by police, prosecutors and the courts to stop him came under scrutiny. Simon Levy, 40, was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, as well as offences against a third woman who survived his attack. Prosecutors said Levy carried out a “series of attacks on vulnerable women”, killing two and leaving another for dead. The surviving woman was raped in a car park near Levy’s home in Tottenham, north London, in January 2025. Two months later, Ms Valencia-Trujillo was killed, before Ms Wilkins was murdered in August 2025. 
Levy arrested before second murder
The case has raised serious questions about how Levy remained free despite repeatedly coming to the attention of authorities. The Metropolitan Police arrested Levy in connection with Ms Valencia-Trujillo’s murder in April 2025 after his DNA was found on her body. He was interviewed but released under investigation while detectives considered seven suspects. By the time Ms Wilkins was murdered, Levy had also been arrested three times by British Transport Police in connection with sexual assaults on London’s public transport network. He was granted police bail following one arrest and was subsequently granted bail by magistrates despite being charged with multiple serious offences.
Failed to attend court 13 days before murder
Levy failed to attend a plea and case management hearing at Inner London Crown Court on August 11, 2025. Despite him having also missed two previous hearings, an arrest warrant was not sought. Just 13 days later, Levy murdered Sheryl Wilkins in the early hours of August 24. CCTV captured Ms Wilkins walking with Levy into the service yard of a car park shortly before she was killed. Police eventually used live facial recognition technology to identify Levy, who was arrested on September 3 and remanded in custody after being charged with the murders and rape.
Rape investigation had been closed
The Old Bailey also heard how the surviving woman had reported allegations against Levy to the Metropolitan Police after being arrested over an unrelated matter. She provided officers with a description of Levy and information about where he lived but was considered unfit for interview because she was withdrawing from drugs. She was arrested again in May 2025 but released before she could be interviewed. Another officer spoke to her later that month, but the rape investigation was closed in June without her being formally interviewed. The woman told police following the attack: “I never thought this man would be so evil.”
Previous sexual assaults on women
It can now also be reported that Levy was jailed earlier in 2026 for six years, with a further three-year extended licence period, after being convicted of 11 counts of sexual assault. Ten women were sexually assaulted on busy Underground or Overground trains between October 2023 and May 2025. He had previously served a three-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting two women in 2018. Levy was released in February 2023 before being recalled to prison in May 2024 following an arrest on suspicion of rape. That investigation was closed due to insufficient evidence and he was released again at the end of his licence period in August 2024.
CPS apologises over handling of case
The Crown Prosecution Service has acknowledged failings surrounding Levy’s bail applications. Chief Crown Prosecutor Lisa Ramsarran said relevant information was not provided to the court when bail applications were considered and accepted that prosecutors should have taken a more robust approach. She said: “Our actions fell short of the standards that victims, families and the public are entitled to expect.” 
The CPS said it could not know whether judges would have reached different decisions had stronger representations been made but apologised for the shortcomings identified. British Transport Police has also acknowledged that opportunities to speed up its investigation were missed and said procedures have since been changed.
Police watchdog investigation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the management of Levy from his first conviction in 2021 until his final arrest in September 2025. Two Metropolitan Police officers are currently under investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Simon Levy is a dangerous and predatory offender. His crimes were calculated, cruel and deeply disturbing.” Levy denied two murders, two counts of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent and non-fatal suffocation against the surviving victim. He showed no emotion as the guilty verdicts were returned while relatives of the two murdered women wept in court. Levy is due to be sentenced next Wednesday and could face a whole-life order.
