news
Serial Sex Offender Arrested After Two Women Were Murdered Following Authorities Failure to Keep Him in Custody
Levy, 40, was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday of murdering two women, Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39.
Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M
He was also convicted of raping another woman and carrying out a serious sexual assault that left her with a broken collarbone.
Valencia-Trujillo, a grandmother, was killed in March 2025, while mother-of-four Wilkins was murdered in August of the same year.
Authorities have acknowledged several failures in their handling of Levy, including decisions that allowed him to remain on bail after he had already been suspected of serious offences.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth of the Metropolitan Police said mistakes made during hearings at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in May and June 2025 contributed to Levy remaining free and ultimately enabled him to kill again.
He said: “There’s a collective system failure here, which has left Levy free to go on offending in this awful manner and left these victims at risk from his prolific offending, and that’s something which ourselves and colleagues across the criminal justice system will need to reflect on.
“His behaviour is self-evidently that of a very prolific serial sexual predator who seeks his sexual gratification in a number of ways, whether it’s opportunistically offending against strangers on the Underground system, or whether it’s targeting sex workers in the most horrific and harrowing fashion.
“Ultimately what we’re talking about here is a serial sexual predator who’s finally been brought to justice, but ultimately too late to help the victims of his tragic acts.”
A separate investigation is now examining whether Levy may have attacked additional women during periods when he was repeatedly released on bail.
Levy had already come to the attention of authorities several times before the two murders.
He was jailed in 2021 after being convicted of groping two women in 2018. One incident happened at Notting Hill Carnival, while another took place at a party in Camden.
While serving his sentence in 2022, Levy sexually assaulted a prison guard. Despite this, he was released the following year.
In November 2024, British Transport Police arrested Levy over four sexual assaults on the Tube. He was later convicted in connection with those offences.
However, a delay in arranging an identification parade meant the case was not progressed quickly enough. The parade eventually took place in April 2025, leaving Levy free during the period in which he allegedly raped another woman and murdered Valencia-Trujillo.
One woman who survived an attack by Levy told authorities that she had been raped and knew where her attacker lived.
Despite this information, she was not formally interviewed until after Levy had allegedly killed two women.
The delays have become a major focus of the investigation into how the case was handled.
There were also concerns over the information provided to the courts during Levy’s bail hearings.
Following Valencia-Trujillo’s death, Levy was released on bail at hearings in May and June 2025.
The CPS acknowledged that it did not oppose bail at the first hearing. At the second hearing, the prosecutor failed to provide the court with all the relevant information needed for the magistrates to properly consider whether Levy should remain in custody.
Levy subsequently missed three Crown Court hearings for different reasons, yet an arrest warrant was not requested.
On August 11, he attended another hearing. Less than two weeks later, Wilkins was murdered.
The two murders were not isolated incidents.
Between the deaths of Valencia-Trujillo and Wilkins, Levy was accused of carrying out sexual assaults against six women on London’s Tube and Overground networks.
As a convicted sex offender, he was subject to monitoring by police and probation officers. However, when officers visited him at the home he shared with his mother in March and July 2025, Levy reportedly claimed that he rarely went outside and spent his time watching YouTube and films.
Levy had also lost sight in one eye following an attack in May 2024. He used his partial sight as part of his explanation for his behaviour on crowded trains, previously claiming that his condition and the movement of passengers caused him to lose his balance and accidentally grope women.
He was ultimately linked to the sexual assault of 10 women on London’s transport network between October 2023 and May 2025.
One of Levy’s victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, described the shock of discovering that the man she had reported was already known to authorities.
She told the court: ‘After reporting the sexual assaults, it wasn’t long before I learned that my attacker was already known to the police for sexual violence and is a convicted sex offender.
“You could not begin to understand the horror I felt at hearing this.’
London’s Victims’ Commissioner Andrea Simon said she was appalled by the litany of failures to manage a prolific offender like Levy.
She told BBC News: “I’m keen now to see how we can uncover every single key moment that there was to assess the harm that Levy posed to women by every justice agency involved, not just the police, but every critical opportunity there was to intervene.
There should have been a far more robust assessment of risk’ at potential key moments such as when he was reported to prison and was released on licence, she suggested.
“Practitioners are trained to identify this and recognise when offenders need to be managed under a higher level” she told the BBC.
“Multi-agency public protection arrangements are meant to bring organisations such as the police, probation and prison service together so they are all working closely to manage the risk of offenders”
The jury spent 13 hours deliberating before finding Levy guilty of the charges.
He was convicted of two counts of rape, grievous bodily harm with intent and the non-fatal smothering of the surviving woman, who suffered a broken collarbone.
Relatives of the victims broke down in tears when the verdicts were announced.
Levy, who is blind in one eye and appeared in court wearing sunglasses and a pointed beard, showed little reaction as the convictions were delivered.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC ordered that Levy remain in custody and adjourned sentencing until Wednesday, August 12.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John of Scotland Yard described Levy as a dangerous offender and called on anyone else who may have been attacked by him to contact authorities.
Speaking outside the Old Bailey, he said: ‘Simon Levy is a dangerous and predatory offender. His crimes were calculated, cruel and deeply disturbing.
“Throughout the trial, he has shown complete disregard for the victims and victim-survivor, despite being fully aware of the lasting and devastating impact of his actions”
The murders of Valencia-Trujillo and Wilkins were carried out in different locations in London.
Valencia-Trujillo was found dead inside a largely abandoned block of flats on the Aylesbury estate in south-east London, while Wilkins was found behind a car park wall near Tottenham High Road in north London.
Both women were suffocated during attacks that prosecutors described as sexually motivated.
Valencia-Trujillo’s children remembered their mother as a woman who was full of energy and personality. She became a grandmother in 2024 and was described as a much-loved member of her community.
She was also known for her love of salsa dancing.
Wilkins’ family similarly remembered her as a much-loved woman whose absence continues to be felt by those who knew her.
The case has now prompted renewed scrutiny of how agencies identify and manage offenders considered capable of causing serious harm, particularly when several warnings and previous convictions are already on record.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
According to the Reidsville Police Department, the search was conducted on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Royal Inn Room 16, located at 1631 Freeway Drive, Reidsville, NC.
Riggins was arrested alongside another person following the operation.
The police department stated that Riggins was charged with felony possession of cocaine, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor assault on a government official.
She was also served with two criminal summonses for assault on a government official and injury to personal property.
Riggins was given a $10,000 secured bond and is expected to appear in court on September 29, 2026.
In a press release, the Reidsville Police Department wrote: “Media Release On Thursday, September 17, 2026, Reidsville Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a Search Warrant at Royal Inn- Room 16, located at 1631 Freeway Drive, Reidsville, NC. As a result, narcotics and paraphernalia were seized along with one person arrested. Renda Rainey RIGGINS (61) was arrested and charged with (F) Possession of Cocaine, (M) Possession Drug Paraphernalia, (M) Assault on a Government Official. RIGGINS was also served on (two) criminal summons for; Assault on Government Official and Injury to Personal Property. RIGGINS was given $10,000 secured with a 09/29/2026 court date.”
The Reidsville Police Department encouraged residents with information about drug activity or other crimes to submit anonymous tips.
Members of the public can send tips by texting ROCOTIPS to 738477 or contact Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at (336) 349-9683.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
It was shared that Baba died on September 14 after becoming sick. The death of the ancient tortoise was announced on September 17 by Bode Durojaiye, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo.
The statement reads: “Baba, the ancient tortoise of Oyo Kingdom passed on, buried amid fair, get together
“” In Oyo, Baba was regarded as the oldest indigene. It was the Alaafin’s most besotted pet. The incumbent Paramount Ruler, met it in the Palace, as Baba was nourished by a succession of Kings, who inherited him as part of the relics of their ancestors. Baba was more than a turtle in status. He represented a part of the oral history of the Yoruba race. Now, the Alaafin has lost an ageless companion””.
According to the statement, Baba had been part of the Palace for generations and was cared for by successive Alaafins, who inherited him as part of the relics of their ancestors.
Baba was more than a pet to the people of Oyo. The tortoise had become a major attraction at the ancient Palace, with visitors travelling to see the creature because of its remarkable age and strength.
The story of Baba was also linked to Yoruba cultural history and the relationship between the living, the dead and the unborn.
In the early 1970s, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka wrote his play, Death and the King’s Horseman, which drew from Yoruba cultural traditions and explored the connection between the world of the living, the dead and the unborn.
Based on real events, Soyinka narrated how it was a norm for Elesin Oba, known as the king’s horseman, alongside the king’s horse and dog, to die in a suicide ritual following the king’s death. They were expected to continue serving the king in the afterlife.
However, outside Soyinka’s play, the tortoise of the Alaafin of Oyo Palace appeared to have defied the passage of time, surviving generations of rulers and becoming a significant part of the Palace’s history.
Historical accounts shared about Baba stated that the tortoise had outlived many kings.
In the physical realm, Baba, described as a 420-year-old tortoise, died last Monday after falling ill. Reports said he stopped eating after becoming sick before eventually passing away.
Baba was reportedly brought from Oyo-Ile, the former capital of the Oyo Empire, to the present Palace in Oyo town. Two Palace officials were responsible for taking care of his well-being.
Because of his extraordinary age, Baba became a tourist attraction, drawing people to the Palace who wanted to see the ancient tortoise.
Baba was said to have eaten watermelon, corn pap wrapped in leaves and grass.
He had since been buried.
Good night Baba!”
Brazilian influencer Duda Alves has died after undergoing breast reduction surgery.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
Her burial service was held at São João Paulo II Parish in Brasília, Brazil, on September 15, where family, friends, and loved ones gathered to pay their final respects.
The influencer built a following through her online presence, where she regularly shared moments from her daily life alongside her partner.
In a statement, the Civil Police of the Federal District confirmed that Alves’ death is being investigated as a suicide but declined to release further details, stating that the decision was made “in order to protect the privacy of the family.”
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death is ongoing.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
The boy, identified as Theo Sabo, was reportedly left inside the family’s car around 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, after returning home from a baptism ceremony for another child at their church.
Temperatures in the area reportedly reached 106 degrees that day.
Emergency responders performed CPR on Theo before he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Theo’s parents, Mihail Sabo, 50, and Anca Sabo, 45, were charged with negligent homicide and child abuse following the incident.
The couple, who have four other children aged 18, 15, 14, and 9, appeared separately in court on Monday, September 14.
During the hearing, Mihail reportedly told police that he asked his 14-year-old son to remove Theo from the vehicle after they arrived home from the baptism. However, the teenager told authorities that he was never asked to do so.
During Anca’s court appearance, she was seen crying while her husband remained quiet with his head lowered, according to a livestream of the Maricopa County Superior Court hearing.
“This was a, I can’t overstress this, a tragedy,” the couple’s defense attorney Leah Dodd told the court.
Dodd maintained that Mihail had asked their teenage son to get Theo out of the vehicle, explaining that Anca was busy hosting the gathering.
“Mom is hosting a party at their home, assumes dad is gonna get [Theo]. Dad asks the 14-year-old. That’s not asking a young child to get another child out of the vehicle,” Dodd argued.
She added that Theo “was sleeping, and there was a lot going on, but this does not deviate from what a normal person would do in this situation.”
Meanwhile, Maricopa County Attorney Brooke Gaunt told the court that Theo was inside the vehicle for more than two and a half hours and that his parents were unaware of his location during that period.
The defense attorney argued that the charges were not appropriate for the case and described Theo’s death as “an unimaginable tragedy.”
“She called 911, she administered life-saving efforts, she answered all questions of detectives. This is not someone who is running away,” Dodd said.
“Everything that she and her husband did upon finding the child in the vehicle was standard care.”
During the hearing, Anca became emotional and pleaded with the judge, saying: “I want to see my kids. Please let me see my kids.”
The couple were each granted a $150,000 bond and were ordered not to have contact with each other. However, they are allowed supervised visits with their four other children.
Mihail and Anca have been married for nearly 20 years and have lived in Arizona since 2011, according to their attorney.
An online fundraiser created for the family described Theo as a loved child whose life would never be forgotten.
“Theo was deeply loved, and his precious life will never be forgotten,” the fundraiser stated.
“Thank you for loving, praying for, and supporting the Sabo family as they walk through this unimaginable loss.”
The couple are expected back in court on September 21.
news
Nigerian Man Charged With Murder After Punching Elizabeth Line Worker for Missing His Train, Who Later Died From His Injuries
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
The incident happened on December 4, 2024, after Jamgbadi had reportedly missed his train. Ortega was rushed to hospital after the alleged assault but died two days later from a severe traumatic brain injury.
Judge Benedict Kelleher told the court that Jamgbadi was “mentally unwell and not fit to stand trial” and is currently in hospital. Because of this, the jury is being asked to determine whether he carried out the act that led to Ortega’s death.
The court heard that three railway staff members, including Ortega, approached Jamgbadi on the platform after hearing banging noises and seeing him kicking an advertising frame.
Prosecutor Patrick Dennis told the jury that CCTV footage showed Jamgbadi initially walking away from the workers before turning around and approaching Ortega.
The prosecutor said: “It is at that stage he punched Jorge Ortega with significant force.”
Jamgbadi was arrested the following day. According to the prosecution, he told police officers after his arrest: “I punched him in the face… Are you going to nick me then?”
Ortega’s colleague, Mohammed Alim, also gave evidence about what he witnessed.
Alim told the court that he saw the man punch Ortega “near the temple area” and said the force of the punch caused Ortega to fall and hit the back of his head on the platform.
“The impact of the punch was with so much force that I saw something fly out of his mouth,” Alim told the court.
“He was floored. He hit the back of his head.”
Ortega was then carried into an office by colleagues and members of the public. Alim said the railway worker was “going in and out of consciousness” after the incident.
The jury was also told that pathologist Dr Michael Parsons concluded that Ortega’s head injury was “entirely consistent with a substantial impact to the back of the head caused by a heavy fall from a standing height.”
The prosecution is asking the jury to determine whether Jamgbadi threw the punch and whether the punch was a significant cause of Ortega’s death.
The RMT union previously confirmed that Ortega was one of its members and worked as a customer experience assistant for MTREL, the company operating the Elizabeth Line.
Ortega’s death in December 2024 prompted tributes from his family, colleagues and members of the public. His family described him as a loving and devoted family man.
The case is continuing at Inner London Crown Court.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
According to court documents obtained by Law&Crime, the incident happened on September 5, 2026, after an argument between Billingsley and his mother began.
The affidavit of complaint stated that the dispute “quickly escalated into Billingsley physically assaulting” his mother.
When officers arrived at the home, they observed a laceration on the woman’s forehead, according to authorities. She told police that her son had assaulted her and was taken to the hospital with “critical” injuries.
Following his arrest, Billingsley told police that he “admitted to grabbing an aluminum bat from his bedroom and charging at his mother with it.”
Police also stated that Billingsley explained what led to the altercation.
“Billingsley said that the altercation started due to Banks not getting him any food,” police wrote.
Billingsley now faces criminal charges in connection with the September 5 incident.
news
There’s No Win No Matter What You Do – Donald Trump Responds to Lindsay Clancy’s Attorney Kevin Reddington
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
Reddington made the appeal during an appearance on Good Morning America on September 8, asking Trump to pardon Clancy, who is facing charges in connection with the deaths of her three children.
Responding to reporters, Trump acknowledged that he had heard about the request but pointed out that the case is being handled at the state level rather than by the federal government.
Trump said: “It’s a very sad situation……I certainly heard that, but look, it’s very sad. There is no winner there. There’s no win no matter what you do. Three children are dead.”
The president also spoke positively about Reddington’s work as a defense attorney and expressed hope that those involved could reach a resolution.
“He’s a good attorney,” Trump said. “I’ve heard from other people he’s a very good attorney.
“I hope they can work something out,” he continued. “That’s something they have to work out.”
Trump’s comments indicate that he does not have the authority to simply pardon Clancy because her case is a state matter. Presidential pardons generally apply to federal offenses, while state criminal cases are handled through the relevant state’s legal and clemency system.
Famous American fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie has died at the age of 87.
The news of his death was announced through his social media account, where a statement paid tribute to his long career and passion for fashion and costume design.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
The statement read: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today. He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
Mackie built a celebrated career designing memorable costumes and fashion pieces for some of the biggest names in entertainment. His work became known for its creativity, glamour and distinctive style.
The cause of his death has not been made public.
Kuraki’s body was reportedly discovered by a friend on Saturday at an apartment belonging to the owner of a bar in Kabukicho, a well-known entertainment district in the Japanese capital.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
According to The Tokyo Reporter, the discovery was made at the apartment before the friend contacted the bar owner, Sakito.
Sakito later addressed the circumstances surrounding Kuraki’s death in a lengthy social media post. He also denied earlier claims that he was the person who discovered her body.
“I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hana Kuraki. I offer my sincere condolences,” he wrote.
According to Sakito, Kuraki’s friend found her at his apartment and contacted him afterwards. He then went to the location to help deal with the situation and communicate with police officers in Tokyo.
Sakito also revealed that Kuraki had previously spoken to him about difficulties in her relationship. However, he urged people not to spread unverified information or speculate about the circumstances surrounding her death.
He said: “I hope that no further harm comes to the deceased or those around her through misinformation or speculation,” he wrote.
“I also hope for a world free of people who use violence to control others or drive them to such desperate straits,”
Kuraki entered the adult entertainment industry in 2024 and was reportedly scheduled to appear at an adult industry expo in Taiwan later this year.
Her death has left friends and others who knew her mourning the loss of the 25-year-old actress.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel here
Paul Claydon, a pest control expert, said his workload involving rats has remained unusually high throughout the summer, despite the period normally seeing a drop in rat-related call-outs.
According to Claydon, some of the rats he has caught have measured up to 40cm, or around 16 inches, in length.
Claydon also pointed to changes in waste collection schedules, explaining that some councils have moved from weekly to fortnightly collections. He said delays in rubbish collection can leave more food waste available for rats.
He cited Birmingham as an example, where bin strikes reportedly resulted in large amounts of rubbish accumulating and were followed by reports of rat problems.
The pest expert also said overflowing bins, takeaway waste, fly-tipping, bird feeding, compost bins and food waste around residential areas can provide rats with easy access to food.
Speaking about the unusually large rats and the risks they pose, Claydon said:
“There’s definitely been a noticeable increase in the number of rats,
“This year in particular has been exceptionally busy.
“Normally, rat call-outs start to ease off through the summer, but this year the volume has stayed really high.
“I’m seeing levels of rat work in summer that I’d usually associate with the peak winter periods.
“And there are probably a number of reasons behind it.
“Much milder winters, which means better survival rates and a longer breeding season, but I think food availability is a massive factor.
Waste collections have changed in a lot of areas, with some councils moving from weekly to fortnightly, and whenever there’s a delay or disruption to collections, you’re effectively creating a bigger food source for rats.
“Birmingham is a good example, where the bin strikes led to huge amounts of rubbish building up and reports of serious rat problems.
“When you have overflowing bins, food waste, takeaway waste, fly-tipping, people feeding birds, compost bins and generally more food available around urban areas.
“Add in building work, disturbed ground and properties with gaps, it’s no wonder they are thriving.
“They are the biggest I’ve seen.
“They are very dangerous; they spread diseases, contaminate food and surfaces with urine and droppings, damage buildings, chew electrical wires and can cause fires by gnawing cables.
“They can also contaminate water and food supplies.”
See video below……..
UK Pest Expert Warns of Huge Rats as Sightings Rise Across Britain pic.twitter.com/bFPPLwQ1ln
— Iamelizabeth (@elizabethblogng) September 12, 2026