A man arrested in connection with a suspected murder was released by police, and four months later allegedly killed another woman, because apparently the system needed a do-over. Simon Levy, 40, is on trial at the Old Bailey for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, on 17 March 2025 in south-east London, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, on 24 August 2025 in Tottenham, north London. He also faces charges for raping and attacking a third woman, whom he left for dead, and sexually assaulting six others between January and August 2025.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the jury that Levy has convictions for sexual offences dating back to 2018, which “tells you everything you need to know about his attitude and approach to women.” Little described a series of predatory attacks on three vulnerable women - sex workers or those exchanging sex for money or drugs - whom Levy allegedly targeted because he thought he’d get away with it. The first attack and the third occurred in the same car park in Tottenham, near Levy’s home. CCTV from August 2025 shows Levy walking with Wilkins to the car park and disappearing behind a wall. “Nobody else went behind the wall,” Little said. “Nobody could have killed her other than the defendant.” Wilkins’ body was found on Tottenham High Road at 6.30am on 24 August.

DNA evidence ties Levy to Valencia-Trujillo’s killing, which was sexually motivated. Her body was found in a stairwell of Wendover House, a largely condemned block of flats in Walworth. The first victim, who cannot be named, was trafficked into the UK and survived after being assaulted, raped, and strangled. She initially didn’t report the attack but did so days later after being stopped by police on another matter. She was withdrawing from heroin and gave a full statement six months later. She identified Levy in a police lineup.

Little noted similarities among the attacks, calling Levy a “predatory serial sexual attacker.” The trial judge, Mr Justice Lucraft KC, mentioned that Levy is blind in one eye and may wear sunglasses. Levy’s barrister, Siobhan Grey KC, argued that while Levy had sex with the women, he did not harm them. “Just because one man over a period of eight months had sexual intercourse with three sex workers does not mean that he has intended to harm them or kill them,” she said. Levy denies two counts of murder, two counts of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent, and intentional strangulation. The trial continues, because the system is nothing if not thorough after the fact.