Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has publicly questioned why convicted murderer and serial sex offender Simon Levy was released from custody after assaulting a prison officer, a decision that has sparked anger within the Prison Service.
Rowley’s remarks raise concerns over prison release protocols
During an appearance on the BBC’s Today programme, Rowley said he “does not understand” the rationale behind letting Levy out of HMP Brixton in April 2022 after he sexually assaulted a female officer. He noted that the offender was on bail and under police monitoring when he later killed two women—Carmenza Valencia‑Trujillo in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins five months later—and violently raped a third victim.
According to the commissioner, the prison system “should not have released somebody who’s indecently assaulting its staff.” He added that the Met has referred two officers involved in the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and will accept accountability for any failings.
Whitehall sources have pushed back, stating the Prison Service lacked the legal authority to keep Levy detained after the assault. The offender was not formally charged with the prison offence until October 2025, by which time he had attacked 13 more women, resulting in two fatalities.
Legal constraints and timing of charges
Levy, now aged 40, was initially held on licence after the prison incident. The delay in charging him meant he remained under supervision rather than in custody, allowing him to continue his campaign of sexual violence. The Metropolitan Police has defended its handling of the case, asserting that investigations were launched promptly after each murder.
Critics, however, point to a pattern of missed opportunities. Labour MP Jess Phillips and other officials have highlighted that the Met’s response to the first murder was allegedly sluggish, a claim Rowley rejected as “just not true.” The commissioner emphasized that the force did try to build a case, contrary to some reports.
In a separate development, the crime and policing minister Sarah Jones described Levy as a “monster” and said the failures that allowed him to remain free were “deeply concerning.” She indicated that both the relevant institutions and the police watchdog would investigate the circumstances surrounding his release.
Levy received a whole‑life sentence this week for his murders and was earlier convicted of sexually assaulting 11 other women, ten of whom were attacked on London trains and the underground between 2023 and 2025.
Related: US military classifies UK rape cases as assault
While the prison system’s limited powers are a factor, the broader issue of coordination between agencies remains. The case illustrates how procedural gaps can have dire consequences when offenders are not promptly detained after serious offences.
Families of victims may feel that the system’s delays compound their grief, as the offender’s ability to reoffend hinges on bureaucratic timing rather than decisive action. This perspective highlights the human cost of procedural shortcomings.
Public reaction and calls for reform
Victim advocacy groups have voiced frustration. Mina Smallman, whose daughters were killed in a separate high‑profile case, condemned the Met for “deciding which deaths were worth investigating.” She argued that the force’s size hampers its ability to oversee day‑to‑day operations, a sentiment echoed by other commentators.
Smallman also criticized the Met’s handling of Levy’s case, suggesting that the victim who was a sex worker was not taken seriously until a later murder linked the incidents. “How ridiculous is that,” she said, adding that the police appear to prioritize certain cases over others.
The Prison Service has not responded to requests for comment at the time of this report.
Rowley reiterated that the Met will cooperate with any investigations and that accountability measures are in place. He stressed that the force’s commitment to learning from mistakes is ongoing, even as external reviews examine the interplay between policing and prison oversight.
Observers note that the early release decision should not eclipse the need for systemic reform.
