Police, prosecutors and courts face scrutiny over decisions that allowed Simon Levy to remain free
A convicted sex offender has been found guilty of murdering two women and raping another after a series of failures by police, prosecutors and courts allowed him to remain free.
A jury at the Old Bailey convicted 40-year-old Simon Levy of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, in London last year. He was also convicted of the rape of another woman.
Levy committed the offences while on bail following earlier sexual assaults and went on to attack several other women on public transport.
Police risk assessment questioned
Levy had previously served a prison sentence for sexually assaulting two women. After his release in 2024, the Metropolitan Police downgraded its assessment of the risk he posed to women.
That decision is now being investigated by the police watchdog.
The Metropolitan Police has acknowledged that Wilkins’ death could have been prevented and apologised to her family.
The force also failed to treat Valencia-Trujillo’s death in March 2025 as a murder or refer the case to specialist homicide detectives until after Levy killed again.
Multiple investigations delayed
Several agencies have admitted failures in handling Levy’s case.
The Met closed an investigation into a rape in January 2025 even though investigators could potentially have identified Levy.
British Transport Police also faced significant delays investigating sexual assaults allegedly committed by Levy on trains. He was not charged for more than six months despite footage reportedly showing one of the attacks.
The Met and BTP also returned a stolen travelcard to Levy. The card allowed him to travel without paying and was later used during the period in which he committed further offences.
The Crown Prosecution Service has apologised for shortcomings in its attempts to keep Levy in custody.
Further failures revealed
Authorities have also acknowledged delays in dealing with an earlier sexual assault involving a prison officer. The Met took three years to investigate and charge Levy, while prosecutors were also criticised for delays.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth described the case as a “collective system failure” and a tragedy.
BTP Detective Chief Superintendent Pete Fulton said delays in his force’s investigation were “absolutely not good enough”, blaming incompetence by two officers who have since been moved to other roles.
Earlier warning signs
Levy first came to the attention of the Met in 2017 after a woman reported him for sexual assault. Prosecutors decided not to charge him, a decision now regarded as another missed opportunity.
In 2021, he was sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting two women at public events in London.
Despite the seriousness of those offences, a judge declined to impose a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which could have placed restrictions on Levy after his release.
Calls for accountability
The case is expected to bring renewed scrutiny of how authorities assess and manage high-risk sex offenders.
One woman who was assaulted by Levy told the BBC that the attacks could have been prevented and said learning that he had been on bail was particularly distressing.
The case also raises fresh questions about reforms introduced by the Met following previous high-profile cases involving violence against women.
As Levy faces sentencing, attention is now focused on whether the failures identified across the criminal justice system could have been prevented and what changes will be made to protect women in the future.
