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A series of critical errors made by the police, prosecutors, and the courts allowed Simon Levy to remain free, which tragically enabled him to assault 14 additional women before finally being removed from the streets. Despite being a registered sex offender under Met Police supervision, these failures resulted in further victims suffering harm. Levy had initially been registered for sexually assaulting Laura and another woman in the summer of 2018.
Laura, one of Levy’s victims, describes him as “evil” and shares how the attack profoundly altered her life. She has come to understand that the troubling thoughts and nightmares she experienced were rooted in the grim reality that Levy was still actively preying on vulnerable women. Choosing to waive her anonymity, Laura has spoken out in an effort to protect others by pushing for Levy’s imprisonment. She said, “I feel like when I reported it, I was doing the right thing and I thought I was doing it to protect other women.” Laura expresses deep sorrow for the many women and their families affected by Levy’s actions.
Laura holds the entire criminal justice system responsible, including the Met Police, the courts, judges who granted Levy bail, and the Crown Prosecution Service. She argues that all parties involved share blame for allowing Levy’s continued assaults. Laura stressed, “They’re all as guilty for allowing him to continue to do what he was doing. They could have prevented so many women from being hurt. They could have prevented two women from losing their lives.”
Laura’s ordeal began in August 2018 while traveling with a friend to the Notting Hill Carnival on the London Underground. Levy followed them, ultimately committing a serious sexual assault against her. After forcing him off, Laura was hysterical and crying, while trying to escape with her friend. A crowd eventually chased Levy away after she alerted them to what had happened. However, when Laura sought to report the assault to the police, she was initially turned away. Two officers told her they were occupied with other priorities, and although a female officer later took her details, she did not ensure Laura’s safety or attempt to locate Levy that day despite having a photo of him. Laura felt that the police could have done much more to support her.
In response to criticisms, the Met Police expressed regret that Laura felt unsupported and acknowledged the impact on her. They stated that a crime report was filed the following day, leading to Levy’s identification, arrest, and eventual conviction. Laura gave a statement two weeks after the attack and participated in an ID parade the following year.
It was three years before Levy faced court, where in 2021 he was convicted of assaulting Laura and another woman he attacked a month earlier. Although sentenced to three years in prison, he was released on licence despite committing another sexual assault on a prison officer. Laura discovered that Levy was on trial for two murders earlier this year when she searched his name online, a moment that caused her shock and distress. She was also surprised to learn that Levy had been investigated for a sexual assault in 2017 but was not charged—an omission both the CPS and Met Police now acknowledge as a mistake. Laura reflected, “Had they charged him in 2017, I may not have even ever had to go to court. I may never have been assaulted, ever.”
Advocating for systemic change, Laura calls for a complete reassessment of how male violence against women and girls is addressed, emphasizing the potential to prevent future harm. She hopes that victims in the future will be believed, treated differently, and listened to immediately, saying, “I just hope that there’s change.”
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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