Woman assaulted by double murderer says nightmare became 'real life' when police let him attack again

A woman who survived a sexual assault by a man later convicted of double murder says her ordeal became a “real life” nightmare after police allowed her attacker to strike again. The Metropolitan Police stated, “We are atrocious the unfortunate felt unsupported successful this lawsuit and don't underestimate the interaction this incidental had connected her.” They added, “A transgression study was created the pursuing time with a wide scope of enquiries carried out. Levy was identified, arrested and aboriginal convicted.” After being contacted by officers, Laura gave a connection 15 days aft the attack, and attended an ID parade the adjacent year, as she recalled, “After aboriginal being contacted by officers, Laura gave a connection 15 days aft the attack, and attended an ID parade the adjacent year.” It took three years for Levy to appear in court. In 2021 he was convicted of sexually assaulting her, as well as another woman he had assaulted a period earlier Laura, according to the record: “It took 3 years for Levy to spell to court. In 2021 helium was convicted of sexually assaulting her, arsenic good arsenic different pistillate helium had assaulted a period earlier Laura.” He received a three‑year sentence but was released on licence despite sexually assaulting a custody officer, as noted: “He was jailed for 3 years, but released connected licence contempt sexually assaulting a situation officer.” Laura later discovered that Simon Levy was facing proceedings for two murders when she searched his name earlier this year, exactly as she said: “Laura recovered retired Simon Levy was going to beryllium connected proceedings for 2 murders erstwhile she Googled his sanction earlier this year.” She described her reaction: “My bosom dropped successful my tummy erstwhile I work that”, she says. Laura also expressed shock that Levy had already been investigated in 2017 for allegedly sexually assaulting another woman: “Laura says she was besides shocked to observe retired that Levy had already been investigated for allegedly sexually assaulting different pistillate successful 2017.” At that time he was not charged, a decision now regarded as an error by the CPS and the Met: “He was not charged astatine the time, thing present viewed arsenic a mistake by the CPS and the Met.” She believes that an earlier charge could have changed everything: “Had they charged him successful 2017, I whitethorn not person adjacent ever had to spell to court. I whitethorn ne'er person been assaulted, ever”. Laura calls for a societal shift in how violence against women and girls is addressed: “She says determination should beryllium a societal alteration successful the attack to antheral unit against women and girls.” She urges authorities to examine all aspects of their response: “They request to look astatine everything, each of it, due to the fact that they could person prevented truthful galore women from being hurt.” She argues that earlier action could have saved lives: “They could person prevented 2 women from losing their lives.” Looking forward, she hopes other victims will be heard and believed: “I anticipation that different victims successful the aboriginal volition beryllium believed, volition beryllium dealt with differently, volition beryllium listened to straightaway, and I conscionable anticipation that there's change”. BBC Action Line: If you person been affected by issues successful this story, find retired what enactment is disposable here.