Serial sex offender Simon Levy will spend the rest of his life in prison after being given whole life orders for murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins and life sentences for the violent rape of a third woman who survived his attack.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC concluded that Levy’s crimes justified the most severe sentence available, telling him the case could not be considered borderline when deciding whether to impose a whole life order.
Levy received whole life orders for each of the two murders, meaning he will never be eligible for release from prison.
For two rape offences involving the surviving victim, Levy was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years. Those sentences will run concurrently.
His offences of grievous bodily harm with intent and non-fatal suffocation were taken into account as part of the sentences imposed for the rapes and did not result in separate sentences.
Judge Highlights Similarities Between Murders
During his sentencing remarks, Judge Lucraft described Levy as having a “morbid fascination” with sex, crime and rape.
He drew particular attention to the “striking similarity” between the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, describing that aspect of the case as “deeply troubling”.
The judge told Levy he was “clearly someone who ruthlessly exploits others” and noted the vulnerability of the women he attacked.
In deciding whether to impose whole life orders, Judge Lucraft acknowledged that the punishment is reserved for the most serious cases.
He said he was “acutely aware that whole life terms are sentences that should be considered for rare cases”.
However, he concluded that the seriousness of Levy’s offending meant a whole life order was the appropriate starting point.
The aggravating features outweighed any mitigating factors, the judge found.
“This cannot be described in any way as a borderline case,” he said.
“You will be in prison for life and there will be a whole life order.”
Surviving Victim Praised For Giving Evidence
Judge Lucraft also addressed the impact Levy’s offending had on the woman who survived his attack.
He praised the “considerable courage” she demonstrated by attending court and giving evidence against Levy.
The judge acknowledged that giving evidence in such circumstances was “far from easy”.
Her evidence formed part of the case that resulted in Levy being convicted of two counts of rape alongside grievous bodily harm with intent and non-fatal suffocation.
The life sentences imposed for the two rapes carry minimum terms of 12 years and will be served concurrently with his other sentences.
Families Describe Impact Of Murders
The court also heard victim impact statements detailing the consequences of the murders for the families of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins.
Carmenza’s daughter remembered her mother as “a beautiful woman inside and out”.
The court heard that Carmenza had come to the UK seeking to provide her children with a better life.
Judge Lucraft referred to the psychological, mental, physical and financial impact her murder had caused.
Sheryl Wilkins’ sister also addressed Levy directly about the consequences of her sister’s murder.
She told him that he had “destroyed our lives”.
The judge said Sheryl would continue to be kept alive through the “memories and stories of her” held by those who knew and loved her.
Levy was then taken from the courtroom after receiving whole life orders for both murders and concurrent life sentences, with minimum terms of 12 years, for the two rapes.