Met Chief Questions Simon Levy's Release After Prison Assault 2026

The Met Chief has sparked controversy by questioning why Simon Levy was released from prison after assaulting a prison officer. Mark Rowley, the UK's most senior police officer, said he did not understand the decision to free Levy, a convicted murderer and serial sex offender, from HMP Brixton. The case has raised serious questions about accountability across the criminal justice system.

Background of the Case

Simon Levy, 40, was on bail and being monitored by police when he murdered Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo in March 2025 and Sheryl Wilkins five months later. He also violently raped a third woman. Levy had previously been imprisoned for murder and sexual offences, but was released on licence despite committing a sexual assault on a female prison officer in April 2022.

The Met questioned Levy in June 2023, five months after his release, but he was not charged with the prison offence until October 2025. By then, he had attacked 13 more women, killing two of them. Rowley acknowledged mistakes in the force's handling of Levy but rejected claims that police had not tried to build a case over his first murder.

Rowley's Criticism

Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Rowley said: "That's one of the things we've apologised for but of course there are two mistakes in that: you've got he was released on licence by the prison service, having sexually assaulted in prison one of its people, I don't understand that decision either." He added that the prison service should not have released someone who indecently assaults its staff.

Rowley also noted that the Met has referred two officers to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, demonstrating a commitment to accountability. However, he argued that the rest of the system is not doing the same, pointing to the prison service's failure to keep Levy behind bars.

Prison Service Response

Whitehall sources have hit back, saying that it is "inaccurate" to blame the prison service because it had no legal power to keep Levy in jail. They argue that the decision to release him was based on the law at the time, and that the prison service cannot detain someone beyond their sentence without proper legal grounds.

This clash highlights a broader debate about how the justice system handles dangerous offenders. Critics, including Labour MP Jess Phillips, have called for a full review of the case to prevent similar tragedies.

Timeline of Events

Key Takeaways

• The Met Chief has publicly questioned the prison service's decision to release Simon Levy.
• Levy went on to commit further violent crimes, including two murders, after his release.
• The prison service claims it had no legal power to keep Levy detained.
• Rowley has apologised for police mistakes but insists the system must be held accountable.
• The case has prompted calls for a comprehensive review of offender management.

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