The system was supposed to protect them. Instead, a string of missed warnings gave a convicted predator the freedom to attack again and again — and now, two families are left grieving while officials scramble to explain how it all went so wrong.
Simon Levy, 40, was convicted this week of murdering 𝒔𝒆𝒙 workers Sheryl Wilkins, 39, and Carmenza Valencia Trujillo, 53, in a devastating case that has 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭 serious cracks in the UK’s criminal justice process. The same trial found him guilty of suffocating another 𝒔𝒆𝒙 worker until she lost consciousness and then raping her.
But here’s what has people furious: Levy was already a registered 𝒔𝒆𝒙 offender when he went on his terrifying spree. Just weeks before the murders, he had finished a three-year prison sentence for molesting two women in public. He should have been closely watched — instead, he was basically left to roam free.
The killer, who lived with his mother in North London, was also convicted separately earlier this year for sexually assaulting ten women on the London Underground over a 19-month stretch. Investigators suspect there may be more victims who haven’t come forward.
So how did this happen? Court records reportedly show a trail of breakdowns. After his release in August 2023, Levy was arrested on suspicion of murder and twice charged with groping women on the Tube — yet he was released each time.
He also skipped three separate crown court hearings without anyone ever issuing a warrant for his arrest.
One of the most jaw-dropping moments came in June, when Levy failed to show up for his first hearing at Inner London Crown Court. His defense said he was too ill to attend, and that excuse was accepted without challenge. No warrant.
No arrest. Nothing.
Then in July, he skipped another court date. Again, no warrant. His legal team reportedly claimed they weren’t aware of the hearing.
By August 11, a third no-show — this time blamed on mental illness, which the court and prosecutors accepted.
Just 13 days later, Levy allegedly murdered Sheryl Wilkins in a car park in Tottenham. The same location where, months earlier, he had reportedly raped and tried to strangle another woman.
Police now admit her death was preventable. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth didn’t hold back, saying the obvious conclusion is that if Levy had been remanded earlier, he wouldn’t have been able to commit that murder. He called Levy “one of the most dangerous and prolific offenders” police have encountered in recent times.
Two British Transport Police officers have been moved away from frontline duties over what the force described as “incompetence” in handling the case. The Met has also referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The Crown Prosecution Service issued a formal apology, acknowledging their handling fell short and that relevant information about bail wasn’t shared with the court. They admitted a more robust approach should have been taken.
Rape prevention charity The Survivor’s Trust said this case shows how the system is letting women down, pointing out that anyone facing rape allegations, questioned over a murder, and arrested multiple times for assaulting women should never have been granted bail once — let alone twice.
Levy was finally arrested and charged with Sheryl’s murder on September 7. He remains behind bars, but the questions are nowhere near resolved.
Two police officers are currently under investigation for misconduct. The Met says it can’t rule out that Levy may have struck before. And authorities are pleading with anyone who recognizes him or may have been a victim to come forward.
Justice Minister Sarah Jones called the case horrifying and demanded urgent answers. But for the families of the victims, and for every woman who rode the Tube wondering if she was safe, the damage is already done.
The system failed. Again and again. And the only question left hanging over all of this is a deeply uncomfortable one — just how many more warning signs were missed?
