The trial of Simon Levy, 40, has begun at the Old Bailey, where prosecutors allege he murdered two women and attacked a third after being released from police custody following an earlier murder arrest. Levy denies two counts of murder, two counts of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent, and intentional strangulation.
Charges and Timeline
Levy is accused of killing 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, who survived. The prosecution says Levy carried out a series of predatory sexual attacks on three vulnerable women between January and August 2025, and sexually assaulted six others during that period.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the jury that Levy had prior convictions for sexual offences dating back to 2018, as well as against the six women in early 2025. "That tells you everything you need to know about his attitude and approach to women," Little said.
Details of the Attacks
Little described Levy as targeting vulnerable women who were sex workers or performed sexual acts for money or drugs. He said Levy believed he would evade justice due to their vulnerability. The first attack, which the victim survived, and the third attack occurred in the same car park in Tottenham, near Levy's home.
According to the prosecution, CCTV from August 2025 showed Levy walking with Wilkins to the car park and disappearing behind a wall. "Nobody else went behind the wall," Little told the jury. "Nobody could have killed her other than the defendant." Wilkins's body was found on Tottenham High Road at 6.30am on 24 August.
DNA evidence ties Levy to Valencia-Trujillo's murder, which the prosecution says was sexually motivated. Her body was discovered in a stairwell of a condemned block of flats in Walworth, south-east London.
Survivor's Testimony
The first victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was trafficked into the UK. Little said she was "left unconscious and left for dead having been assaulted, raped and notably strangled." In the car park, she asked for payment, and Levy promised to take her for a drink and dinner before attacking her, breaking her clavicle. Little added, "The man put a finger down her throat so she could not make any noise." The woman lost consciousness.
She initially did not report the attack but did so several days later after being stopped by police on an unrelated matter. Withdrawing from heroin, she only gave a full statement six months later. She knew Levy and correctly identified his home address, later picking him out of a police lineup.
Similarities and Defense
Little highlighted similarities among the three attacks, calling them a "series of attacks committed by the same predatory serial sexual attacker in a similar way." Levy's barrister, Siobhan Grey KC, argued that while Levy had sex with all three 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.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Lucraft KC, informed the jury that Levy is blind in one eye and may wear sunglasses, and may require an intermediary during proceedings. Family and friends of the alleged victims attended court as the case opened. The trial continues.
