Met Police failures let Tottenham killer murder twice, watchdog says

Simon Levy, 34, of Beaufoy Road, Tottenham, was found guilty on 13 September 2025 at the Old Bailey of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, in August 2025. He was also convicted of two counts of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent and the non-fatal smothering of a third woman in January 2025.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct began an investigation in January 2025 after the Metropolitan Police made a voluntary conduct referral. The watchdog is examining whether officers followed policies when managing Levy from his first conviction in September 2021 until his arrest in September 2025.

Remand failures at Highbury Corner

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth, of the Metropolitan Police, said failures to remand Levy in custody at hearings at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in May and June 2025 left him free to commit the second murder. The Met, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service have all admitted failings in their handling of Levy, as reported by the *Evening Standard*.

Levy’s attacks escalated while he was on bail. He carried out multiple sex attacks on women in public spaces between 2018 and 2025, including assaults on the London Underground, according to British Transport Police.

Officers under investigation

The IOPC has served a gross misconduct notice on a police constable and a misconduct notice on a detective sergeant. The notices relate to their management of Levy following his release on licence in February 2023. The watchdog said it is assessing whether action could have been taken to prevent his reoffending.

The IOPC added that it is considering whether learning or changes should be implemented as a result of the investigation. The serving of conduct notices does not guarantee disciplinary proceedings will follow, the watchdog said.

What happens next

Levy will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a date yet to be set. The IOPC investigation into the two officers continues. The watchdog has not said when it expects to complete its inquiry or whether further misconduct notices will be issued.