- Simon Levy has been sentenced to a whole-life order for double murder and rape, following a series of violent attacks.
- The Met Police have since apologised, as the force faces major questions over its handling of the case; sentencing, Judge Mark Lucraft KC described Levy as someone with a morbid fascination with sex, rape and crime who 'ruthlessly exploits others for your own personal sexual satisfaction'.
- Levy's whole-life order is the fourth given this year, after Robert Varley for the murder and sexual abuse of his adopted baby, and joins other high-profile killers like Wayne Couzens and Levi Bellfield.
- More than 60 criminals are serving a whole-life order, four in secure hospitals; they will never be considered for release unless exceptional compassionate grounds exist.
- Only four women have received whole-life orders: Lucy Letby, Myra Hindley, Rose West, and Joanna Dennehy; Letby was jailed for a 'cruel, calculated and cynical campaign' of baby murder.
- The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act (2023) expanded whole-life orders for premeditated murder of a child and allows judges to impose them on 18- to 20-year-olds in exceptional cases; however, Axel Rudakubana could not receive one because he was under 18 at the time of his crimes.
Simon Levy, a serial sex attacker, has been sentenced to a whole-life order for the double murder and rape of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins. His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC described Levy as someone who “ruthlessly exploits others for your own personal sexual satisfaction”.123
The murders occurred in March and August 2025, with Levy targeting women in a car park near Tottenham High Road, north London. The surviving victim, who suffered a broken collarbone, reported her assault but was not formally interviewed until after Levy had killed twice. This has raised serious concerns about the Met Police's handling of the case, prompting an apology from the force.
Levy's case is part of a troubling trend, as he joins several other high-profile killers serving whole-life terms, including Sarah Everard’s killer, Wayne Couzens. This year alone, four whole-life orders have been issued, reflecting a growing severity in sentencing for heinous crimes. More than 60 criminals are currently serving such sentences, with release only possible under exceptional compassionate grounds.4567
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act of 2023 has expanded the use of whole-life orders, particularly for the premeditated murder of children, indicating a shift towards stricter penalties for serious offenses. The implications of these reforms are significant, as they allow judges greater discretion in sentencing young offenders in exceptional circumstances.101112
“Levy's whole-life order is the fourth this year, after Robert Varley for murdering his adopted baby. More than 60 criminals are serving such orders, including Wayne Couzens and Levi Bellfield, and they will never be considered for release.”
The Independent
