The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has issued a public apology for its role in allowing serial sex predator Simon Levy to remain free, leading to the deaths of two women. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson expressed deep regret over the failings that enabled the 40-year-old to commit multiple violent offenses, including the murders of grandmother Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025, and mother-of-four Sheryl Wilkins, 39, in August 2025. The apology followed a sharp rebuke from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who criticized the justice system for its repeated failure to secure Levy’s detention. The CPS admitted that prosecutors did not request an arrest warrant for Levy 13 days prior to the second murder and failed to inform the judge of ongoing investigations into both killings and a separate alleged rape. The case has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for systemic reform within the criminal justice system. Sir Mark Rowley, during an appearance on the BBC’s Today programme, emphasized that the Met had conducted “serious” work on the case but lacked sufficient evidence to charge Levy for the first murder. He noted that the police did not seek a charging decision from the CPS regarding Valencia-Trujillo’s death until after Wilkins was killed. This delay, combined with a lack of coordination between local and specialist units, contributed to the tragic outcomes. The Met also faced scrutiny for downgrading Levy from a high-risk sex offender to a medium-risk category in August 2024, reducing the level of monitoring and increasing the likelihood of his continued freedom. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating how the Met managed Levy over the four-year period from his initial conviction in September 2021 for sexual assault up to his final arrest in September 2025. The inquiry includes reviewing the force’s handling of his early offenses, including a sexual assault on a female prison officer at HMP Brixton in April 2022, which was not charged until October 2025, by which time he had already committed additional crimes. The Met acknowledged that it was “too slow” to act on that offense, allowing Levy to continue targeting women and ultimately resulting in the double murder. Mina Smallman, the mother of two murdered women, Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, who were killed in a 2020 stabbing in Wembley, has condemned the Met for prioritizing certain victims over others. She argued that the force failed to take the murder of a sex worker seriously until after the deaths of two mothers, suggesting that the Met “decided who mattered.” Smallman criticized the scale and complexity of the organization, stating that it is “too big” to make meaningful changes. She also pointed to broader issues within the Met, including inactivity, corruption, and misogyny, which she claims hinder effective policing. The case has prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability across the criminal justice system. The Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, described Levy as a “monster” and stated that the failings that allowed him to remain free were “deeply concerning.” She indicated that the government would allow the IOPC and other oversight bodies to determine the extent of the failures. Meanwhile, Sir Mark Rowley reiterated that the Met had attempted to build a case against Levy but was hampered by insufficient evidence. However, he acknowledged the force’s shortcomings, particularly in relation to the timing of charges and the management of high-risk offenders. In response to the growing number of allegations against Levy, the Metropolitan Police is reportedly considering the formation of a dedicated team to handle the influx of reports. Dozens of women have come forward claiming they may have been targeted by Levy, prompting the BTP to urge any potential victims to report their experiences. The Met has launched an investigation to verify these claims, emphasizing the importance of identifying any additional victims. Lisa Ramsarran, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS, acknowledged that the service’s actions fell short of expectations, while Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth stressed the need for improved protocols to prevent future tragedies. The Met has also urged anyone with information about Levy to contact authorities, offering confidential reporting channels through Crimestoppers and direct lines.
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