A woman has described being attacked by an 'evil' convicted sexual predator, telling a court she believed she would die. Simon Levy, 40, is accused of raping and violently assaulting a woman in a car park in Tottenham, north London, in January last year. The attack allegedly occurred months before he killed Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39.
Survivor's testimony in police interview
In a police interview played at the Old Bailey, the woman wiped away tears as she recounted the assault. 'I would not think this man would be so evil,' she said. 'I believe I'm going to die. I couldn't believe. I will never forget the smell of his hands, salty, smelly.'
The woman, who had a drug habit and was doing sex work, said she recognised Levy from her neighbourhood. She approached him, offering sex for money, and he agreed. They went to a B&M car park, where she asked for payment upfront. Instead, Levy allegedly put his hand on her neck, swung his arm, and jumped on her with 'all his weight'.
Details of the alleged attack
'From that moment I believe I have a broke clavicle from him so my shoulder is broken,' she said. 'I hit my head on the ground so I was a bit dizzy. He put his arms over my face. I couldn't believe. I was kicking my legs under him and I am fighting for my life.' The woman said she managed to turn onto her stomach before he sexually assaulted her. She thought she would die as he covered her nose and mouth and stuck his fingers in her mouth. Levy allegedly told her he had money and would take her out for dinner, telling her to be quiet. She recalled twisting and moving before losing consciousness. When she awoke, her body was 'hurting' and she was bleeding.
Aftermath and identification
Immediately after the attack, she told a friend and warned other sex workers nearby. Four days later, she reported the rape to police but was not well enough to be interviewed due to drug withdrawal. The court heard she had a crack cocaine and heroin addiction costing £150 per day. She suffered a broken shoulder and later identified Levy in an identity parade.
Defence cross-examination
Defending, Siobhan Grey KC suggested the woman fabricated the assault to avoid spending the weekend in police custody after being arrested for breaching a community order on January 25. The woman denied this, telling jurors she could not remember refusing a police request to create a 'body map' of injuries.
Levy's other alleged crimes
Levy is also accused of killing two other women during sexual encounters in March and August last year. He has pleaded not guilty to their murders. He also denies two counts of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent, and non-fatal suffocation against the surviving woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. The prosecution noted Levy has previous convictions for sexual assault, including two in 2018 and 11 counts after a trial in February this year. The trial continues.
