Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has sharply criticized the Prison Service for releasing Simon Levy, a convicted sex offender and murderer, despite Levy having sexually assaulted a prison staff member. Rowley stated that this decision by the Prison Service was inexplicable and contributed to Levy's subsequent violent crimes.
Levy, 40, was found guilty last Friday of murdering two women and nearly killing a third while on police bail. He received a whole-life prison sentence, meaning he will never be released.
Criminal History and Subsequent Crimes
Levy suffocated Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025, and then killed Sheryl Wilkins, 39, five months later. He was also convicted of violently raping another woman in January 2025, leaving her for dead. Detectives believe Levy may have committed numerous other attacks while on bail, escalating from sexual assaults to murder.
Levy's history of sexual violence dates back to 2018. He had been released on bail four times prior to his final convictions. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating alleged failures by two Metropolitan Police officers in their management of Levy, from his first conviction in September 2021 up to his arrest in September 2025. The IOPC is examining whether actions could have been taken to prevent his reoffending and if officers followed appropriate policies and procedures.
A victim, referred to as Laura, who was sexually assaulted by Levy in 2018, expressed a sense of betrayal by the criminal justice system. She reported Levy after an encounter on the London Underground, but stated she was initially turned away by police. It took 15 days for officers to take her statement, and Levy was not brought to court for three years.
Levy was arrested in November 2024 for two sex attacks on the Tube, but the British Transport Police (BTP) delayed basic identification checks, extending his bail. During this period, Levy committed further offenses, including a brutal rape in January 2025. His first murder occurred on March 17, 2025, and he was arrested again on April 1, 2025. Despite this, police extended his bail again.
Systemic Failures and Criticisms
Sir Mark Rowley highlighted broader systemic issues, noting that his officers encounter cases where prolific knife carriers are repeatedly bailed back onto the streets. He also pointed to instances where offenders arrested for breaching electronic tags face "zero jeopardy." Rowley expressed concern that the police are often left to deal with the consequences of failures in other parts of the justice system, including the Prison Service and the courts.
Levy was released on licence by the Prison Service in February 2023 after sexually assaulting a staff member. Rowley stated that this decision was not understood and that the rest of the system was not taking accountability seriously. The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.