Simon Levy jailed for life for murders of two women in London
Met Police, CPS and British Transport Police admit failings in handling of serial sex offender
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Simon Levy, 40, was convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, in separate attacks in 2025. Both women were suffocated in sexually motivated killings. Levy was also found guilty of raping a third woman, who suffered a broken collarbone during the assault in January 2025.
Valencia-Trujillo was found in a largely abandoned block of flats on the Aylesbury Estate in Southwark on 17 March 2025. Wilkins was discovered behind a car park wall near Tottenham High Road on 25 August 2025. The surviving victim had reported her rape to police months earlier but was not formally interviewed until after the murders.
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Systemic failures acknowledged
The Metropolitan Police, Crown Prosecution Service and British Transport Police admitted failings in their handling of Levy, who remained free despite a history of sexual offences. The Independent Office for Police Conduct served a gross misconduct notice on a Met police constable and a misconduct notice on a detective sergeant, as reported by *The Standard*.
Levy was jailed in 2021 for groping two women in 2018, one at Notting Hill Carnival and another at a party in Camden. Earlier this year, he was convicted of 11 counts of sexual assault in a separate trial. Despite being monitored as a convicted sex offender, he repeatedly lied to probation officers about his activities.
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Delays in organising an identification parade after Levy’s arrest in November 2024 for sexual assaults on the Tube left him free to commit further offences. He was released on bail in May and June 2025 following hearings where the Crown Prosecution Service did not oppose his release or provide all relevant information to the court.
Victims and families
Valencia-Trujillo, a grandmother and salsa enthusiast, was described by her children as a "big character" and "full of life". Wilkins, a mother of four, was remembered by her family as a "much-loved" woman. Both women were involved in street sex work to fund drug addictions, as noted by prosecutor Tom Little KC during the trial.
“Simon Levy is a dangerous and predatory offender. His crimes were calculated, cruel and deeply disturbing. Throughout the trial, he has shown complete disregard for the victims and victim-survivor, despite being fully aware of the lasting and devastating impact of his actions.”
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, Metropolitan Police
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who led the investigation, said outside the Old Bailey that Levy’s crimes were "calculated, cruel and deeply disturbing". Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth acknowledged a "collective system failure" that allowed Levy to continue offending.
What happens next
Levy will be sentenced on Wednesday at the Old Bailey by Judge Mark Lucraft KC. Murder carries an automatic life sentence, but the judge may impose a whole-life order, meaning Levy would never be eligible for release. Scotland Yard has urged any further survivors of Levy’s attacks to come forward.
Questions this report answers
+What was Simon Levy convicted of?
Simon Levy was convicted of murdering two women, Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, in 2025, and raping a third woman. He was also found guilty of grievous bodily harm and non-fatal smothering. The crimes were sexually motivated.
+Why were the police and CPS criticised?
The Metropolitan Police, Crown Prosecution Service and British Transport Police admitted failings in handling Levy, who remained free despite prior convictions. Delays in processing his case and inadequate bail opposition allowed him to commit further offences.
+What sentence could Simon Levy receive?
Levy faces an automatic life sentence for murder. Given the number and circumstances of his crimes, Judge Mark Lucraft KC may impose a whole-life order, meaning Levy would never be released. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday at the Old Bailey.
+How did authorities fail the victims?
Levy was on bail during his offences, despite being a convicted sex offender. The surviving rape victim was not formally interviewed until after the murders. The CPS did not oppose bail, and no arrest warrant was issued after Levy missed court hearings.
Barnet Press News Desk
This article was written at the Barnet Press news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
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